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RE: Gardening. Anyone use smartgardener.com? (and other questions)

J and I are going to get moving on our garden this weekend and we are trying to lay it out.  I set up an account with www.smartgardener.com and it seems really neat.  I'm definitely a novice gardener, so I wouldn't know what's good and bad, etc.  Has anyone else used it? Is it good or bad? I plan on getting a copy of The Backyard Homestead since it was so well recommended here.

Also, I've noticed on IG and Facebook that some of my NBC friends are already outside getting work done.  Where are you from and what does your timeline look like?  I'd like some cooler weather stuff, but I'm afraid I might have missed the boat.  In that case I'll catch up on those next year. However, we still have a tiny bit of snow left, so I'm thinking the time might be right soon.
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116 books in 2016

my read shelf:
Lauren (SnShne322)'s book recommendations, liked quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists (read shelf)
Wes: 10/8/2012


Re: RE: Gardening. Anyone use smartgardener.com? (and other questions)

  • There are a lot of free apps/website planners out there that are all basically the same quality, so if the planner is free, I say go for it.  I have used excel to plan mine for the past few years, using www.mysquarefootgarden.net for spacing guides -- our soil is pure clay and I'm not interested in even attempting to work with it.

    As for the timing, look up your average last frost date -- www.burpee.com and a ton of other websites will figure that our for you with your zip code.  Mine is April 15, but it's still pretty cold here.  I could have put out some greens, lettuces, peas, and beans, but because of the late winter they're all still inside.  I roughly go by http://www.kjmbiosystems.com/Skippysgarden/plantingcalendar.html to determine planting times, but your planner might do that for you.

    I hope some of this is helpful!  If our rain lets up I'm planning on getting some work in this week.  I've sent the husband out to get some materials for a new trellis and a new raised bed.

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  • I've never used smartgardener but it looks like a cool tool.

    We're nowhere near being ready to plant yet. We just lost the last of the snow over the garden (our yard is still mostly covered) and the ground is soaked. You definitely don't want to start planting in mud. Not good for the soil, not good for the seed.

    Timing for direct planting is really all about last frost. This is a great chart, and I know there are many similar resources available on Pinterest. You just have to look-up your areas average last frost dates.
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  • I've never used smartgardener but it looks like a cool tool.

    We're nowhere near being ready to plant yet. We just lost the last of the snow over the garden (our yard is still mostly covered) and the ground is soaked. You definitely don't want to start planting in mud. Not good for the soil, not good for the seed.

    Timing for direct planting is really all about last frost. This is a great chart, and I know there are many similar resources available on Pinterest. You just have to look-up your areas average last frost dates.
    @AshleyT121 Does the same still apply if we are getting soil delivered?  Our yard is all pine trees so nothing grows.  We'll have to get new soil and I assume keep treating it over time.
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    116 books in 2016

    my read shelf:
    Lauren (SnShne322)'s book recommendations, liked quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists (read shelf)
    Wes: 10/8/2012


  • AshleyT121AshleyT121 member
    Tenth Anniversary 5000 Comments 250 Love Its First Answer
    edited April 2014
    SnShne322 said:
    I've never used smartgardener but it looks like a cool tool.

    We're nowhere near being ready to plant yet. We just lost the last of the snow over the garden (our yard is still mostly covered) and the ground is soaked. You definitely don't want to start planting in mud. Not good for the soil, not good for the seed.

    Timing for direct planting is really all about last frost. This is a great chart, and I know there are many similar resources available on Pinterest. You just have to look-up your areas average last frost dates.
    @AshleyT121 Does the same still apply if we are getting soil delivered?  Our yard is all pine trees so nothing grows.  We'll have to get new soil and I assume keep treating it over time.
    I'm not 100% sure, but I would imagine that if it's healthy soil that's not still spring soaked, you could start planting according to your frost dates.
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  • My husband is an aggie and has close friends in the nursery biz, so all of our info comes from asking them what to do :)

    Since we're in Arizona, we can garden year-round.  We skip the summer garden sometimes, but this year we went ahead with it.  We pulled out the last of our lettuce and peas last weekend (like a month late!!), and put in squash, cucumbers, watermelon, jalapenos and beets.

    Oh, and a pumpkin for Ally!  Our tiny beds are going to be OVERFLOWING.

    52 Books in 2014??
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    My sweet babies:
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  • Also, you guys should totally check out http://www.plant-something.org.  It's an initiative started by our AZ Nursery Association, and starting to spread nationwide.  We're actually headed to their big fundraiser this Saturday!

    52 Books in 2014??
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    My sweet babies:
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  • 84Lauren said:
    Also, you guys should totally check out http://www.plant-something.org.  It's an initiative started by our AZ Nursery Association, and starting to spread nationwide.  We're actually headed to their big fundraiser this Saturday!
    I've seen this sign all over my town.  I'm off to check it out!
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    116 books in 2016

    my read shelf:
    Lauren (SnShne322)'s book recommendations, liked quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists (read shelf)
    Wes: 10/8/2012


  • fabkfabk member
    5000 Comments 500 Love Its Fourth Anniversary First Answer
    I haven't used that site before. I wouldn't worry too much about being too late. You really just want to know when your last frost will be. I would ask at a local nursery and see what they suggest.
  • RevJenRevJen member
    Ninth Anniversary 25000 Comments 500 Love Its First Answer
    edited April 2014
    We're a little south of you and we usually plant after Mother's Day.  Check out www.burpee.com and that should give you a good guide as to when to plant.  Although, if your soil needs to be prepped, you should probably do that soon.  Talk to your local nursery about the additives needed.  They'll have a good idea what to do.

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