Time to start a garden

Book: Try Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholemew (he has a website by that name, book also available at the library). It's all about intensive gardening for food in small spaces, and he has good info on what to plant first, then what to follow up with to extend the season.

I get plants at the Toledo Botanical Garden plant sale; many free veg plants are given away at the Perennial Plant Exchange (May 5 at Original Sub Shop, I think). Check out the farmer's markets this spring (Toledo and Perrysburg); last year I remember many vendors with unusual varieties of everything.

If you are new to gardening, I would be cautious about starting a lot of different things from seed -- unless you get free/cheap seeds, and don't mind starting over. Titgemeier's has some bulk seeds, much cheaper than commercial packages sold in the bigger stores.

If you plant 1 or 2 beds this year, then build some extras to fill with grass clippings, autumn leaves, and compostable stuff like corn husks from your kitchen, you won't need to buy compost in the future. You'll be able to plant right in those beds without further additions ... but it will take 12 months for Mom Nature to do her work.

I'll second TBG plant sale for good plants. We've also used Whiteford Greenhouse and Bench Farms on Rt. 2 just outside of Oregon.

The Maumee Valley Growers has a website that lists local growers. Some, like Bench's Greenhouse in Elmore, offer growing seminars that may help a new gardener. One of my favorites is their Edible Landscapes session.

Here is the MVG website: http://www.maumeevalleygrowers.com/about.htm

Another thing - you might want to check in your neighborhood. Our neighbors have a well-established garden and have given us some of their onions (when they divided them) and some 'volunteer' tomat0 plants (that popped up from seeds fallen from existing ones). We give them beer in exchange, so it works out well. They generally start all their plants from seeds - some of which they've saved from the prior year. You may find some similar options in your neighborhood.

Viola - thanks for the book recommendation. We're switching to small raised bed gardens this year.

Thank you both for the suggestions. I already checked out Bench's information - not sure if you're aware, but the edible landscapes seminar is this morning at 10 am. I am kinda bummed, because that would have been a good one for us. I will definitely be checking out the Square Foot Gardening and the TBG plant exchange as well. Unfortunately, we are very space limited and I am using the only feasible space for the garden, so there will be no onsite composting.

Do either of you know if I can just fill the beds with straight compost for vegetable gardening?

You sure can. Toledo Grows grows in nearly pure compost. It can decompose quickly, so consider that annual applications will be needed.

For plants I recommend Bench's farms on Route 2 past Maumee Bay. They are also very nice and helpful with questions on all plants not just produce.

They have a great pepper and tomato selection including heirloom varieties.

Good luck and enjoy.

Bench's is awesome. Best source for herb plants in town -- they have dozens of varieties of basil, oregano & thyme. And lots of different tomatoes & peppers. They participated in the Thursday evening Perrysburg market last year. But a trip to their greenhouse, just east of Oregon, is a very entertaining outing. It awakens Garden Lust within me.

If you get up to the Detroit area much consider checking out Block's Greenouse on Eureka road, just east of Metro Airport. Great prices, wide selection, and friendly folks.

i have used the square foot method for years, it is the only way i will garden. very eficient method.

I agree with Historymike regardeing Blocks.