Gardening at home- how much time involved?

[headednorth]

Ive been thinking of growing some vegetables at home. I figure maybe 150 sf available. I was curious, aside form the initial building of the beds, how much time am I looking at investing in the upkeep? Is it a daily thing? Twice a week?

Like a lot of folks, I feel like I dont have all that much spare time, so Im just trying to get a handle on whether to give it a go or not.

Its probably not an easy question for someone to answer for someone else. Im thinking youre average mix of typical veggies- carrots, tomatoes, spinach, corn, strawberries, cukes, etc. (yes, I know strawberries arent a vegetable )

Thanks.

 

[coastie]

Depending on how you set it up at least a couple hours a week. Weeding, watering, bugs etc.

 

[warpig]

Totally depends on how obsessed you are with it. There are people that devote an hour a day. Others that just water when they feel like it. Seeds are cheap - give it a whirl, and see which type of person you are.

I have tomato plants in some containers on the patio, and some herbs. Just a few minutes a day giving them a drink, and I'm done. I get a good yield of tomatoes every year. Planted beans this year - no bean yet, but I put in just as much time as the others...just water and the occasional fertilizer.

 

[headednorth]

Good to hear so far. Im not even at square one with this, really just thinking about it, so I didnt know if it would be a time consuming thing or not. I can find a few hours a week for sure.

 

[MrsStrangeNH]

Depending on how you set it up at least a couple hours a week. Weeding, watering, bugs etc.

This. And part of setting it up to be lower maintenance is choosing varieties that are less fussy - appropriate for local conditions, disease resistant, etc.

 

[headednorth]

This. And part of setting it up to be lower maintenance is choosing varieties that are less fussy - appropriate for local conditions, disease resistant, etc.

Can you point me in the right direction? Any links, favorite websites, books, youtube channels?

 

[MrsStrangeNH]

Can you point me in the right direction? Any links, favorite websites, books, youtube channels?

I'm not so much a YouTuber, maybe someone else can help with that. One good website to explore with good advice on a number of gardening topics is www.garden.org. If you can find the book "The Timber Press Guide to Vegetable Gardening in the Northeast" by Marie Iannotti, that's a good one for beginning gardeners. Also spend time browsing through seed catalogs online. Look for key words like "resistant to...", "easy to grow", "vigorous", you'll get the idea once you dive in.

One of the best resources would be a successful backyard gardener in your neighborhood.

 

[falcon123]

Best bet is to find a neighbor or friend that grows their own and trade with them.

For example one of my neighbors is a MILF gardener. She definitely has a green thumb because her melons are beautiful. Was thinking of asking her if she would trade veggies for sex. Should I run it by my wife first?

 

[headednorth]

I'm not so much a YouTuber, maybe someone else can help with that. One good website to explore with good advice on a number of gardening topics is www.garden.org. If you can find the book "The Timber Press Guide to Vegetable Gardening in the Northeast" by Marie Iannotti, that's a good one for beginning gardeners. Also spend time browsing through seed catalogs online. Look for key words like "resistant to...", "easy to grow", "vigorous", you'll get the idea once you dive in.

One of the best resources would be a successful backyard gardener in your neighborhood.

Thanks for the site and the book. They both look helpful. Cant say I know of anyone local growing vegetables and fruit. The guy behind me has a lot of decorative plants and flowers going on, no veggies that I know of though. May still pick his brain, you never know. Thanks again.

 

[Paul455]

It depends on the initial set up.

If you use drip irrigation and a good mulch (like sea marsh hay), the amount of time spent is minimal.

I do not use any pesticides at all, so there is a slight amount of insect consumption.

 

[TLB]

Best bet is to find a neighbor or friend that grows their own and trade with them.

For example one of my neighbors is a MILF gardener. She definitely has a green thumb because her melons are beautiful. Was thinking of asking her if she would trade veggies for sex. Should I run it by my wife first?

why bother?

 

[TimoC508]

http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/threads/241732-square-foot-(raised-gardens)
Check out this thread and enjoy. This is my first year with more than just tomatoes and cucumbers. There's a bit of work, but it's relaxing for me.

 

[MA_Shooter]

I used a landscape fabric in my garden to help control the weeds..it was very useful

 

[goodlife30]

.

 

[Billsail]

Once you taste your own "crops", you won't mind spending a little time on "farming".

 

[TimoC508]

Once you taste your own "crops", you won't mind spending a little time on "farming".

This! The 30-45 mins I spend "working" in the garden everyday is some of the most relaxing time. I have. Working = admiring.

 

[headednorth]

Once you taste your own "crops", you won't mind spending a little time on "farming".

To be honest, Ive never had a garden, or even known anyone with a garden outside of a few people with a couple 5 gallon buckets on the back porch growing tomatoes. I really had no idea how much time it would eat up, (hours a day, hours a week...) so I figured I'd ask. I have no problem with a few hours a week on upkeep. Im looking forward to getting started actually.

 

[Billsail]

To be honest, Ive never had a garden, or even known anyone with a garden outside of a few people with a couple 5 gallon buckets on the back porch growing tomatoes. I really had no idea how much time it would eat up, (hours a day, hours a week...) so I figured I'd ask. I have no problem with a few hours a week on upkeep. Im looking forward to getting started actually.

It too late for most crops. Study up for the spring planting. Nothing wrong with a 5 gallon bucket "garden". Last week of May, give or take, is likely going to be the best time to plant.

 

[jtnf]

If you are really pressed for space, or time, a deck garden can be had and made fairly creative: https://www.google.com/search?q=wine+crate+garden

 

[ccm75]

How do I get my dogs to stop eating the green tomatoes?!!

 

[jtnf]

I just picked about five pounds of beans, peas, and radish seed pods. Canning tonight methinkst.

 

[Cowgirlup]

If you have soil that drains well you can get by without a raised bed. One of the books I read said raised beds need more water. I've never had one but they seem easier to weed. Weeding depends on how obsessed you are with having your garden look perfect.
Some of the weeds that grow in my garden are edible so I leave some of them and add them to salads.

Start with some of the easier veggies and see how you like it.

 

[headednorth]

It too late for most crops. Study up for the spring planting. Nothing wrong with a 5 gallon bucket "garden". Last week of May, give or take, is likely going to be the best time to plant.

Yep, I have some time to study and form a plan. Better off this way than deciding in May I want to plant a garden and jumping into it headfirst.

 

[Cowgirlup]

How do I get my dogs to stop eating the green tomatoes?!!

Big fence... or if they are in pots put some chicken wire around them.
Works for groundhogs too.

 

[headednorth]

If you have soil that drains well you can get by without a raised bed. One of the books I read said raised beds need more water. I've never had one but they seem easier to weed. Weeding depends on how obsessed you are with having your garden look perfect.
Some of the weeds that grow in my garden are edible so I leave some of them and add them to salads.

Start with some of the easier veggies and see how you like it.

Im a city boy, I have no idea what my soil is like, lol. It doesnt puddle up when it rains except for a low spot in the back, and thats only when we get an extended period of rain. Im not so concerned with how it looks, just want it to be healthy and productive. I have a lot to learn.

 

[pastera]

You can still get beans, peas, radishes and lettuce this late.

Raised beds using three 2x6x8 non-treated boards are simple and cheap. I use metal brackets to ease assembly.

4x8 box line the bottom with landscape fabric or old newspaper. Fill with equal parts topsoil,peat, and compost.

I just did a second planting of lettuce, spinach and green beans last week in one of my beds.

 

[jtnf]

Yep, I have some time to study and form a plan. Better off this way than deciding in May I want to plant a garden and jumping into it headfirst.

Soil is an ecosystem all in its' own. Giving the soil a headstart will help next year... It is probably worthwhile to build out the beds this year, add organic amendments, maybe even plant nitrogen-fixing green mulch (almost any legume) then till it in before the snow flies.

 

[pernox]

If you want to get your hands dirty this year, it would pay you great dividends to start building your soil now. Turning in some additives such as peat, manure, compost, finely shredded dead leaves, fish waste (bones, shrimp shells, guts if you clean your own) etc will make your endeavors all the more fruitful next year. You may even consider doing a cover crop this year to get things going. The most useful gardening book I've used personally has been "Country Wisdom and Knowhow." It's got a ton of information including seed starting times, maximizingyield through tight planting, which plants get along and which don't, and scads of other "homesteader" type knowledge.

- - - Updated - - -

Soil is an ecosystem all in its' own. Giving the soil a headstart will help next year... It is probably worthwhile to build out the beds this year, add organic amendments, maybe even plant nitrogen-fixing green mulch (almost any legume) then till it in before the snow flies.

Beat me to it! Something about great minds thinking alike?

 

[jtnf]

Beat me to it! Something about great minds thinking alike?

I usually say "Great minds run in the same gutters!"

 

[Manomet]

And then along comes the groundhog and shreds all your hard work. We have an ongoing yearly battle with the little bastards at my house. Two down so far this year and at least two to go, they have great eye sight and hearing. I was out today and they ate the tops off my carrots and several baby squash. I wish they were more predictable. Gardening can be stress reducing and rewarding but there are some bumps in the road.