I grew up helping tend a vegetable garden which was but a thorn in the
side of a young boy wanting to do other things with that free time. Now
in my forties I'd love to get my hands back in the good earth & watch
life spring from something I've planted & tended. At last I have a large
back yard where I can do just that. I thought I was a country boy at
heart & knew something about this sort of thing, but I'm finding I'm
ignorant on several points.

For one thing I grew up back East where it was taken for granted that
every seed or plant of any sort needed a bit of fertilizer under it at
planting. 10-10-10, or something like that comes to mind. Manure compost
was also popular. I now live in northern Oklahoma where needs may be
quite different. Can anyone tell me whether I should use the supplement
or just drop 'em in the ground?

Since I love fried green tomatoes but can never find them for sale I've
decided to grow my own. I'm thinking of starting with maybe a couple
dozen tomato plants & some cucumber seed, probably little else for now.
I know Spring comes earlier here, but I think it isn't too late to get
these started?

Any other suggestions would also be appreciated. Thanks much & happy
gardening.

bill

__

Steve Calvin wrote:

williamd wrote:
For one thing I grew up back East where it was taken for granted that
every seed or plant of any sort needed a bit of fertilizer under it at
planting. 10-10-10, or something like that comes to mind. Manure compost
was also popular. I now live in northern Oklahoma where needs may be
quite different. Can anyone tell me whether I should use the supplement
or just drop 'em in the ground?


Contact your local government cooperative society and they should
know. They most probably would do a soil analysis for a modest fee.

Thanks for the suggestion. I may just try it out. I don't suppose anyone
out there is from northern Oklahoma who might have more first-hand
experience with local conditions?

bill

__

(williamd) wrote in message et...
I grew up helping tend a vegetable garden which was but a thorn in the
side of a young boy wanting to do other things with that free time. Now
in my forties I'd love to get my hands back in the good earth & watch
life spring from something I've planted & tended. At last I have a large
back yard where I can do just that. I thought I was a country boy at
heart & knew something about this sort of thing, but I'm finding I'm
ignorant on several points.

For one thing I grew up back East where it was taken for granted that
every seed or plant of any sort needed a bit of fertilizer under it at
planting. 10-10-10, or something like that comes to mind. Manure compost
was also popular. I now live in northern Oklahoma where needs may be
quite different. Can anyone tell me whether I should use the supplement
or just drop 'em in the ground?

Since I love fried green tomatoes but can never find them for sale I've
decided to grow my own. I'm thinking of starting with maybe a couple
dozen tomato plants & some cucumber seed, probably little else for now.
I know Spring comes earlier here, but I think it isn't too late to get
these started?

Any other suggestions would also be appreciated. Thanks much & happy
gardening.

bill

__


For the first year, and given that it is late to start seeds, you
should buy plants and transplant them in the next couple of weeks.
Also, given that you have no soil preparation whatsoever, I suggest
that you just cover the plot you intend to use with manure (2 inches).

Local stores typically carry plants that do well in your area.
Tomatoes will certainly do well, though I can't guarantee cukes. Be
advised that 24 tomato plants, with the manure and proper watering,
may give you 250 pounds of tomatoes. Are you ready for that many
tomatoes?

For next year, suggest you buy the new Rodale Encyclopedia of Organic
Gardening. It is the one-stop book for all (organic) gardening.

williamd wrote:
For one thing I grew up back East where it was taken for granted that
every seed or plant of any sort needed a bit of fertilizer under it at
planting. 10-10-10, or something like that comes to mind. Manure compost
was also popular. I now live in northern Oklahoma where needs may be
quite different. Can anyone tell me whether I should use the supplement
or just drop 'em in the ground?

I don't know about putting fertilizer *under* plants. Compost and
manure are pretty good soil ammendments anywhere, I think. As someone
else posted, you local state university extension office may have some
hints as to common soil composition in your area.