How much time does a veggie garden take?

[makedah]

I may be able to get a spot in my university's community garden. It's an organic garden, by the way. I am hesitating because I don't know how much time it would take, and i don't want to pay the fee and say I'll do it when I can't.

I'm thinking of yellow squash, hot peppers, cucumbers and herbs.

Suggestions for relatively-low maintenance veggies would be great, as well as veggies to stay away from because of bugs -- since the garden is organic I think I might have a harder time keeping the pests away.

[McSix]

I plant a small vegetable garden every year and don't spend much time on it at all after the initial planting. I don't use any chemicals and haven't had too much trouble with bugs. We did have some squash bugs one year, but haven't since. I think a lot has to do with your particular climate. Anyhow, I think the key is to keep it appropriate in size. For years I'd plant the entire seed package and then be totally overwhelmed. I just put out lots of leaf lettuce, radishes, carrots, spinach, green onions, bush beans, arugula, and four zuchinni plants. That keeps us in fresh vegetables for months without intensive labor. By the way, thinning early will save you time and improve the quality of your vegetables. Just last night the first of my seeds appeared in this year's garden. It's a thrill! Good luck.

[KValley]

makedah,

I began gardening two years ago when I lived in Illinois. I started with a small (4 x 8) plot because I was also concerned about the amount of time I'd be able to put in. I grew mixed greens, carrots, tomatoes, zucchini, broccoli, and a variety of herbs. I couldn't keep up with the tomatoes or zucchini- McSix is right- it's easy to go overboard and plant too much of one thing.

The next year I doubled the size of the plot and planted more vegetables, but fewer of each kind, except lettuce.

It did take time- I got up about 20 minutes earlier to water before the sun rose and to do a bit of thinning- but it was one of the most satisfying, peaceful, rewarding experiences I've ever had. I am aching for my garden now- can't wait to have a home of my own again to start another.

I used no chemicals of any kind, only my own homegrown compost. I rarely had to pull weeds and I had no problems with bugs. NOT using chemicals encourages the good insects to appear and stabilize- they keep out the bad critters.

Give it a try! Julie

[LynnSC]

I am not much of a gardener really , but I do grow herbs. They are super easy. Once they get started they come back each year, most of them anyway. I have lavendar, oregano, mint (can't kill it!) and sage. I also have basil (I don't think it comes back each year), rosemary and cilantro in pots. I don't think any of the ones I potted come back , I am not sure. The cilantro has been a challenge in years past as has the rosemary. I found out that cilantro (aka corriander) does not like hot weather so I will bring it in as the weather gets warmer. Oh, I left out chives. I have both garlic and onion chives. They return each year. I love being able to step out the back door and snip off whatever I need for cooking. I am going to be brave this year and plant a few veggies, I think. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Vanessa]

It depends on the size of the garden. Also what you grow. At the beginning between tilling and planting and also putting in seeds it takes time. Once your garden gets going mostly is watering , a bit of fertilizer, bug patrol and definitelly keeping up with weeds. We have a 20 x 20 lot and it takes a few hrs to get it going then during the week between weeding and watering a total of lets say 2 hrs a week then during the weekend composting weeds etc more. But its something enjoyable to do outdoors.
Herbs don't need as much maintenance. Some like zucchinis you need to get fruit young (or you will have these huge zucchinis in a few days...they sneak on you).