So, help me -

[conuly]

What am I planting this year? I think I'm settled on the tomato front, but beans...? Squashes...? I'm going to try corn, though that never works. Specific varieties you guys like? If I got everything I want to get, it would take three yards and then some! So I need heeeeeeeelp.

Also, we are putting off fruit trees yet another year, which is just as well. I'm sticking them on the side, which is not ideal, but I can't do much with that space otherwise and for darn sure I'm not putting them smack in the middle of my vegetable garden. Is there anything I can do now to improve the soil there for next year? Google is not so helpful. Why does google hate me?

Comments

[dragonwolf]

What kind of soil is in the side (sandy, rocky, clay, etc)? That will largely determine what you'll need to do to rejuvenate it.

Also, http://gardening.stackexchange.com/ might be of some use to you.

[conuly]

Clay with glacial debris,and hard packed. It'll need a lot of work, really,

[dragonwolf]

Sounds like my yard. Peat moss will be your best friend, then, as will probably an aerator tool. I've also found a mulch/soil conditioner/compost called Bull Country to be phenomenal for my garden. I highly recommend it if you can get it, or something similar. Basically, just keep working it in when you plant, and covering the top with a good layer every few months, or more if necessary and you can swing it.

Once you can loosen it up and balance out some of clay, make sure you have, or can get, earthworms, potato/sow/pill bugs, and other beneficial burrowing bugs relocated to it to keep it from compacting.

When you plant, I found it helps to mix the compost and peat, and dig a little wider and deeper than you normally would, and fill in with your mix, especially if the ground is still dense. That way, the roots gets some good growing time before they start having to push through clay.