I have just recently moved to the country and have a lot more space than I have ever had before and I would like to start a garden. I have a place picked out that should get good sun all day long, and has the best soil on the property (it is where an old barn used to be). I have a rototiller that I hope I can get working, so I think I will be able to have a decent sized plot.
The first question I have, is when should I do the tilling. I don't want to do it too early and possibly have erosion when it rains, but I also figure I will need to add some compost or something to the soil before planting. I think my last frost date is April 30th. But I also want to put in some stuff that can tolerate colder temps too, like peas and onions, etc.
Next question is about mulch. I was going to try and get some hay to use as mulch. In the last week I have noticed two partial bales of hay that have fallen on the side of the road near my house. These are the big round kind they have been feeding the cows around here. I am really tempted to try and collect it, the farmers never come back for it, so it will just go to waste. But I am worried that there might be seeds in it, I think I remember reading about being careful to only get hay with no seeds. Is this something to worry about, do you think I could safely scavenge the hay?
OK, third question. We have rattlesnakes here, we found three last summer, right up by the house. I am terrified of them, and am already starting to worry about them being in the garden. I am somewhat afraid that this fear might result in the garden being a failure because I won't want to go out there, especially when it gets bushy. Plus I have a 1 year old daughter and I am even more terrified that she will get bitten messing around out there with me. So, does anyone know of good ways to keep snakes away or flush them out if they are there?
Thank you so much for help. I really hope I can make this garden a sucess. I have had trouble following through with projects in the past and I hope I can change that track record and grow some good food for my family this summer.
The first question I have, is when should I do the tilling. I don't want to do it too early and possibly have erosion when it rains, but I also figure I will need to add some compost or something to the soil before planting. I think my last frost date is April 30th. But I also want to put in some stuff that can tolerate colder temps too, like peas and onions, etc.
Next question is about mulch. I was going to try and get some hay to use as mulch. In the last week I have noticed two partial bales of hay that have fallen on the side of the road near my house. These are the big round kind they have been feeding the cows around here. I am really tempted to try and collect it, the farmers never come back for it, so it will just go to waste. But I am worried that there might be seeds in it, I think I remember reading about being careful to only get hay with no seeds. Is this something to worry about, do you think I could safely scavenge the hay?
OK, third question. We have rattlesnakes here, we found three last summer, right up by the house. I am terrified of them, and am already starting to worry about them being in the garden. I am somewhat afraid that this fear might result in the garden being a failure because I won't want to go out there, especially when it gets bushy. Plus I have a 1 year old daughter and I am even more terrified that she will get bitten messing around out there with me. So, does anyone know of good ways to keep snakes away or flush them out if they are there?
Thank you so much for help. I really hope I can make this garden a sucess. I have had trouble following through with projects in the past and I hope I can change that track record and grow some good food for my family this summer.
