Ansolute newbie , need advice please

Subscribe Search This Thread

Start a New Thread

post #1 of 8

11/6/12 at 1:10pm

Thread Starter

293 Posts. Joined 1/2010
Location: Cleveland, OH
Select All Posts By This User

I have never grown anything in my life. So, I need very basic and complete info. I have checked out few books from library and read them. But they were all about outdoors ( even container gardening).
I will start outdoors next summer.

For now, I want to grow some indoor ornamental flowers, some easy to grow vegetable, herbs. I have a room south facing, corner, with windows on both walls, plenty of sunshine. If I keep the door closed, it stays warm because of the heater. Will this be sufficient?

Where can I get a list of best beginner vege/plants to grow and how to care for them for my region?(ohio)

I want to buy the basics: pots, soil, seeds, fertilizer online( no, I have nothing at home to recycle:) ). Which website would be a good reliable one-stop shop?

Thanks in advance!

Do you have a garden shop or greenhouse near you? This time of year, it might be easier to buy a young plant rather than try to start seeds. To properly start seeds you need steady warmth - say at least 70 degrees or higher. A potted herb like basil might be a good place to start. Or even a spider plant (not sure of the proper name). Aloe plants are also not difficult plants. No matter what, don't be discouraged if you don't see much growth from plants you buy this time of year. Things tend to grow slower in the winter unless you have a grow light set up.

Good luck.

post #4 of 8

12/9/12 at 2:07pm

Thread Starter

293 Posts. Joined 1/2010
Location: Cleveland, OH
Select All Posts By This User

Thank you. Since I posted this, I have checked out several books from lib and reading up. I wanted to start right away but now I am going to first get some basic knowledge.

post #5 of 8

2/1/13 at 10:52am

1,558 Posts. Joined 12/2004
Location: .ab.ca
Select All Posts By This User

Indoor gardening is tricky because you don't get as much sun (even in a very sunny room) and you don't have the masses of soil that you have outside. I have grown lettuce and many herbs inside with luck. My mom used to grow tomatoes in 5 galon pots, put them out on the deck in the summer and inside in the winter. This was a good fix for our short growing season.

post #6 of 8

2/11/13 at 6:53pm

62 Posts. Joined 7/2012
Select All Posts By This User

I am a newbie too! Any tips or guidelines would be incredibly useful! I just want a small veggie garden, so I can decrease the amount of spending at the grocery store. Also, what can be done in order to prevent stray animals from going in the garden? Thanks so much!

post #7 of 8

2/12/13 at 10:53am

102 Posts. Joined 1/2013
Location: Pacific Northwest
Select All Posts By This User

I really like this website http://www.yougrowgirl.com/

The site is ran by Gayla Trail, and on it you will find TONS of information- everything a beginner gardner would need to know- Seed charts, climate zones, composting, mulching, plant care, plant info, etc. Last time I checked, you can no longer post on the site, but I think you can still search old threads on the forums- You should have no trouble finding an answer to whatever your questions are.

She also has a few books which I LOVE: You Grow Girl, and Grow Great Grub. I love her books because she makes it 'real'- Not pretentious. Big emphasis on organic gardening, working with small spaces, working with your climate zone, frugality (gardening, especially in other books can be pretty elitist- working under the assumption that we all have tons of money to throw into it- Gayla Trail assumes the opposite, and I love her for that!)

post #8 of 8

2/25/13 at 7:45am