Hello from the Garden State

Hi All - My name is Pete and hail from NJ. I tried SFG (old version) when I was a kid, but did not have much luck, to many trees in my parents' yard!!!

Picked up the All New SFG book last year and finally got moving this spring. I have fenced in a 22'x22 area and have 4 - 4x4 boxes, 1 - 2x8 box for trellis crops, 1 - 2x8 box for corn and 2 potato bins. Have room to add 2 more 4x4 boxes later.

So far have carrots, broccolli, potatoes, eggplant and strawberries planted in the garden. Seeds are started indoors and are moving quickly. Have started lettuce (iceberg and romaine), spinach, cukes, zukes, peppers, lima beans, green beans, cantaloupe and watermelon. All but the melons have sprouted within 3 days and are getting big. Might be able to transplant within a week or so. Second square of carrots goes in this saturday. Hopefully not to late for the lettuce and spinach. Waiting a few weeks before looking for tomatoes.

Lots of rain the past few days. Was worried the torrental rain would overflow the boxes, but Mel's Mix drains so quickly it was not a problem. Also, have had frost and freeze warning te past few nights, but everything seems to have made it through with a bit of protection. Looking forward to a warm and sunny weekend.

Found the vermiculite at Agway for $22.99 per 4cuft. Found a great sounce for commercial compost ($40 for 1 cu yard in bulk) http://www.ag-choice.com/products.html. They get livestock manure from local farms, fruit and vegetable culls, bread, and floral waste from grocery stores, and organic processor waste such as spent nuts and leaves.

Looking forward to a productive summer.

Will try to post some pictures.

Pete

Another newbie from NJ! Welcome, Pete. I grew up in Middlesex County but was transplanted to South Carolina via Florida quite a number of years ago. Sounds like you're all ready for a great summer harvest!

Which tomatoes do you think you'll want to grow? We actually bought a six-pack of Rutgers this year (among others) and I wonder how they'll do in our intense summer heat.

I was thinking of Rutger's for the large one (supposed to be the "Original Jersey Tomato", looking for a good cherry tomato.

I don't think you can go wrong with Rutgers tomatoes in NJ. That's the one we always grew in Colonia.

Some friends who still live in NJ (Bergen) have had great results growing Sweet 100 cherry tomatoes in containers. Have you ever tried that one?