#205566 - 04/30/08 09:36 AM
Hi, I'm a newbie
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Galdurnit
Member
Registered: 04/30/08
Posts: 8
Loc: Bakersfield, CA
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My name is Arlene and I live in California. I'm 31 years old. I am married, and I have 2 children. I am also a student, hoping to enter Nursing school within a couple of years. I love to garden, cook, play with my kids ... I love being in my yard.
This is my fourth year planting a vegetable garden. My first year was fantastic! Everything grew so much, I was giving away vegetables to my neighbors left and right! I thought "This is fantastic! Thia is easy! I'm good at this" ... so my husband built me a little garden area. Here's a picture from 2006 --
it looked like it was going to be a great year! I was wrong. Everything but the tomatoes died in my garden in '06 and '07. Well, this year I am optimistic. I took a soil sample down to the gardening store and found out my ph is at a 7.4, my calcium is at a 10 and my phosphourous is too low. So this year I am mixing in a lot of sand (I have clay soil), compost, Iron & sulphur, and fertilizer. I am going to rototill all of that together and then take another sample down to be checked. I'm optimistic that my garden will do better this year.
I have a question about the calcium measurement. They told me mine measured a 10, but I can't find anywhere online, what is the optimal level of Ca?
I don't know yet what I am going to plant. Definately tomatoes and squash. Probably some melons and basil.
I am also interested in making my own compost bin. I have a few questions about that too.
It's nice to meet all of you!!! Happy gardening :o)
Arlene
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#205582 - 04/30/08 10:57 AM
Re: Hi, I'm a newbie
[Re: Galdurnit]
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dodge
Hot Rod
Gardening Pro
Registered: 10/06/05
Posts: 9390
Loc: Rural - Western Pennsylvania
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#205587 - 04/30/08 11:37 AM
Re: Hi, I'm a newbie
[Re: dodge]
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JunieGirl
Frogger
Gardening Pro
Registered: 10/13/06
Posts: 9023
Loc: Worden, Illinois
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 Arlene Were farmers, hubby never heard of 10 calcium. 6.5 is normal level. What type of fertilizer do you use? I use bone meal on flowers and bulbs. Miracle grow in the veggies. Water might be a huge factor for you..
and then there is shade to consider---too much sun and not enough water can both play a part on some plants.
Your garden area looks real nice though, so better luck this year-- 
have you considered making a herb garden?/ (a piece of your garden sert aside for your herbs---as many return it can stay in the same site every year.
_________________________
   Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! *Still Praying for Cindy * 
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#205597 - 04/30/08 01:24 PM
Re: Hi, I'm a newbie
[Re: dodge]
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Galdurnit
Member
Registered: 04/30/08
Posts: 8
Loc: Bakersfield, CA
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I thought that was wrong. You say 6.5 is a normal level of calcium?
I use miracle gro on everything but the gardeners supply fellow told me I need a 7-20-20 for the garden.
Last year I was over watering. The clay is so bad here, the water was not draining well. I hope with the sand, it will improve.
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#205598 - 04/30/08 01:26 PM
Re: Hi, I'm a newbie
[Re: JunieGirl]
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Galdurnit
Member
Registered: 04/30/08
Posts: 8
Loc: Bakersfield, CA
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Thanks, yes I may plant some herbs too.
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#205609 - 04/30/08 02:17 PM
Re: Hi, I'm a newbie
[Re: Galdurnit]
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cricket
Gardener
Registered: 04/03/08
Posts: 368
Loc: Texas
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I think you'll find adding compost to be very benificial.
your garden is VERY cute!
_________________________
Cricket
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#205626 - 04/30/08 04:03 PM
Re: Hi, I'm a newbie
[Re: cricket]
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Galdurnit
Member
Registered: 04/30/08
Posts: 8
Loc: Bakersfield, CA
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Thanks Cricket! Nice to meet you :o)
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#205679 - 04/30/08 06:05 PM
Re: Hi, I'm a newbie
[Re: Galdurnit]
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Jiffymouse
Momma Mouse
Garden Helper
Registered: 08/29/02
Posts: 22643
Loc: Effingham County, GA USA Z 8b
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#205681 - 04/30/08 06:09 PM
Re: Hi, I'm a newbie
[Re: dodge]
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dodge
Hot Rod
Gardening Pro
Registered: 10/06/05
Posts: 9390
Loc: Rural - Western Pennsylvania
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#205693 - 04/30/08 06:59 PM
Re: Hi, I'm a newbie
[Re: Jiffymouse]
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Galdurnit
Member
Registered: 04/30/08
Posts: 8
Loc: Bakersfield, CA
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Thanks Jiffy :o)
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#205694 - 04/30/08 06:59 PM
Re: Hi, I'm a newbie
[Re: dodge]
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Galdurnit
Member
Registered: 04/30/08
Posts: 8
Loc: Bakersfield, CA
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No you, re not confusing me :o) at least now I know I'm on the right track!!!
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#206529 - 05/04/08 10:44 AM
Re: Hi, I'm a newbie
[Re: tamara]
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Galdurnit
Member
Registered: 04/30/08
Posts: 8
Loc: Bakersfield, CA
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Thanks Tamara! Nice to meet you :o)
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