Hey all, this is my newest "great idea" for the summer. I finally have a back yard ALL TO MY SELF!!!! and I would like to make a little garden in it. Of course this is primarily for Gypsy and Harvey's food and to help ease my costs (I hope). It's also something I thought about all last summer as I was laid-up. I thought being out in the yard this year would be sooooo nice.

Ok so....how do I do this? LOL I've never had a garden before. I do have issues with stray cats and a groundhog wandering the area so my biggest challenge is how to keep them OUT of it...chicken wire? Also, is there any certain type of dirt/fertilizer I need? (yes I know it seems early to think about these things but I have to set money aside)

I once saw a show on HGTV about using stainless steel tubs instead of planting in the ground. I was thinking that would look cute, be easier on the back, and probibly help with the ground hog issue. I was also thinking about asking my brother (land lord) if I could plant a fruit tree of some sort. That will work double duty for food and branches.

Any reccomendations on what fruit/veggies are best for a new gardener?

Fruit trees are nice. Unfortunately they attract Japanese Beetles which are a problem in this area. They are disgusting insects! If you can avoid attracting them, do yourself a favor and leave well enough alone! You could always start small with some herbs like Basil, Oregano, and Parsley which are great antioxidants for the fids. Maybe some tomatoes, and red peppers are easy to grow. In my experience, theres not much you can do to save the back from hurting. They do have these cute little flexi stools out now. They kinda look like a giant mushroom and are lightweight to tug around. Getting started can be an investment, so I would go slow and see how you like it!

I once saw a show on HGTV about using stainless steel tubs instead of planting in the ground. I was thinking that would look cute, be easier on the back, and probibly help with the ground hog issue. I was also thinking about asking my brother (land lord) if I could plant a fruit tree of some sort. That will work double duty for food and branches.

The container garden is what I would suggest however, the containers can be expensive. My husband built me a wooden box without a bottom. Rough up the dirt under it, add top soil. You may want to line the sides with plastic.

Thanks guys! Leigh, never thought about the bugs a tree like that would attract. Something to look into. And i didn't realise basil and parsley are healthy for the fids. (guess that would be considered a "leafy green" huh? lol) Maybe I will start with something more along those lines.

what about things like strawberries? Cucumbers? Potatos? I think I have to do some reading up! lol

Curiosity question? Why do women, when addressing women - sometimes call them "guys"?

Have always been curious about that? Why not just say: "Thanks Gals!"

I do the same thing even when I'm addressing women, I'm just taking a guess but maybe it's because the male are the dominate gender, I don't mean like we are above women but like if you talk about "mankind" you say man not womenkind, and in spanish, if there is a group of people, some guys and some girls, if you say they are your friends you would say amigos not amigas even though there are girls there, the words are dominate over women, so we just generalize it to Thanks guys!

What I just said doesnt' really make much sense, I understand it in my own head but I can't put it in words.
I am not sexist or anything, I feel that women are perfectly equal to men, just incase any of you thought that, if I came off the way, I did not mean to.

But like I said, I am just taking a guess.

Can I start calling you "Babe?"

"Guys" is habit with me....I'm the only female where I work.

Some of the first fresh things that I was ever able to get Tweety to eat... were nastursiums (flowers and leaves) that I had grown from seed in a hanging basket and basil flowers... clipped to the side of the cage... he also loves marigold flowers....

This last summer I had cheap planter boxes that I had gotten at the local dollar store... and planted swiss chard and kale to grow for fids in them... when it got hot.. I just moved them in and put them in a sunny window...

I have to grown organic because I can not be around most chemicals .. due to allergies .... and I grow/start most of my veggies from seed .... because I don't know what kinda chemicals have been used on them prior to purchase.. you would not believe some of the growth chemicals greenhouse growers use on seedlings.. even veggie and herb ones...

If I buy seedlings.... I always wait for fresh growth... before harvesting or using for me or fids.... even pinch off blooms ie tomato because even they can be contaminated by some chemicals.... trim back herbs, and wait for new growth... before use..

Parsely and spinich can inhibit calcium absorption... so would advise to feel sparingly.... only once or twice a week ............

Have found out recently that the majority of fids LOVE snow and edible pod peas.... just don't feed sweet pea, they are pretty and smell nice but poisionious to fids ...

swiss chard and kale are easy to grow... and good for fids also.... can even grow in your area during summer.. in shady spot if kept well watered.... along with leafy lettuce varieties, most good in trace minerals, vitamin k and other vitamins...

Broccoli .. if you cut the main flowerettes... small ones will grow from side... for a second crop.... this works with some other members of the cabbage family also....

Before you plant in the ground in your back yard..... would ask landlord if he has sprayed bug or fertilizer in the last couple of years, or he knows whether previous tendants did...... if so... the soil may be questionable for birdy/human veggies....

Just a few thoughts... and possible suggestions....