I am so excited to see we have so many experts! I am really wanting to do a small, simple veggie garden with my daughters this spring. I see that we are 5b (or maybe 6a?) are there certain veggies that work best in that zone? Like cucumbers? Or zucchini? What do you think?

Also, I have a corner of the yard that has no grass b/c the previous owner had a trampoline there, would you think that would be a good spot? It is in the corner furthest from the house, so do you think it would be better to be close to the house? I want to make it easy enough that we'll do it.

Thanks everyone for your help!!!

Cukes and/or zucchini will do just fine in your zone. The garden space should be fine as long as it's in the sun most of the day and you dig it up well. It may be quite packed down. I'd amend the soil a bit too - maybe with purchased compost or manure.

Natalie'sMom - I have lots of activities and ideas for gardening with kids. It's actually one of my favorite parts of my job. When I'm back in the office I'll send you some info

That would be fantastic! Thanks so much!

cc me on that one, Cyndi

I read this whole thread with much delight! I am fixing to start my first inground garden this year and eveyrone was telling me that I needed the soil tested and had to have till it up last year and all this stuff. Everyone on this thread made it sound so simple!

I live in zone 7a and was going to plant blueberry, tomato, cukes, and peppers, along with my herbs. I just may now skip the soil testing and just get some fertilizer and till up the ground and give it a go...

So, if I am starting in a grassy area, do I just till up the area, including the grass? Can you do that?

Am I better off with plants or seeds? We are in Kansas -- and I read on a local gardening site that you should wait to plan until the first weekend of May. Is that right?

Hi Natalie'sMom- I'm a big fan of raised beds. It will save you the tilling, amending the soil by guessing, and it's really great for kids. Raised beds have a nice border that keeps kids from walking on plants so makes it easier for them to help. I also worry about suburban neighborhoods and fill. Some lawns have things in them we would rather not have in our gardens. It's more expensive the first year but balances out over time.

BTW gardeners - I'm enjoying some of my onion dill zucchini chips from last summer's harvest. Just a reminder of the year round goodness of gardens I love finding those jars in the winter

ETA - I love this design - so much space for kids to help Of course you don't need this much at home. This was a child care center garden.

Cyndi- that is a nice little raised garden! We have been planning ours and just wondering how I am going to keep mu big clumsy dogs out of it..... that may be a good idea for us!
I have also been thinking of planting some seedlings in the house to get started... I was thinking of buying this little gadget to start!
http://www.seedandgarden.com/shop/pr...Pot-Maker.html
its got great reviews everywhere i have looked!

Also, does anyone know about underground utilities? all of ours are underground and I would hate to hit something I wasn't supposed to!!! I don't know how deep they are...

Rikki - if you don't know where your lines run, you should definitely call your utility company. They can either send you a form that has your lot and the grid on it or come out and flag.

Most utility lines aren't very deep and would easily be hit by a tiller.

--

Alright, I think I'm going to be building some raised beds. How hard are they to build? I'm thinking of using some concrete builder thingys that I saw at lowes. I think it will just be easier since we don't have a tiller and I need to get the plants in the ground soon.

Also, rather off topic but - the yard has a bunch of sand in it (maybe an inch deep at the most). Do I need to move it out or will the grass grow through it? If not, how do I move sand like that?

As promised, here are some links for gardening with munchkins. I love thinking about gardening this time of year!

Designed for a child care program but has some really nice activities and information: http://horticulture.unh.edu/ggg.html

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/victorygarde...ids/index.html
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/k...den/kinder.htm
http://betterkidcare.psu.edu/AngelUn...enLessonA.html
http://pss.uvm.edu/ppp/articles/safekids.htm

Lots of links: http://gardentimeonline.com/ChildrensGardening.html
Why we love gardening with children: http://www.naeyc.org/ece/1997/15.asp
for kids: http://urbanext.illinois.edu/firstgarden/


butterflies! http://www.glorious-butterfly.com/li...butterfly.html
and bugs http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Entomology/yth...fun/bugfun.htm & http://bugguide.net/node/view/15740

Perfect, Cyndi. Thanks!

Lots of state Extensions offer online resources now. You should be able to find everything you need by googling. I Extension. It's a great resource.

Thanks for all of the links, Cyndi! I can't wait to look throught them! I like the raised bed idea...can I buy it? Or do I have to make it (or rather HAVE someone make it...ha, ha!)