Knowledgebase
New garden area #857062
Asked January 06, 2024, 1:50 PM EST
I have a new area for a vegetable garden this year and I want to get off to a good start. I have had two boxes installed which are 6' wide by 8' long. They both have a drip system. They are built up 1'7" and are filled with fairly good dirt. I would like to ask what I should add to each box to assure good growth? Also, if someone would be willing to advise what to plant and in what order, that would be great. I want to plant cool weather crop first and then later plant the rest. If someone could do a sample layout for me, that would also be great. Here are the vegetables I would like to plant in small amounts (there are 4 of us). lettuce, radish, spinach, cucumber, carrots, bell peppers, green onions, peas, tomatoes, broccoli, beans, garlic, parsley. Also, I can plant outside of each box for instance, the cucumber, which I know spreads. Any help would be much appreciated.
Thank you!
Cynthia King
Weld County Colorado
Expert Response
Thanks for contacting Ask Extension.
My name is Kat and I'll be helping you today.
I'm reviewing your issue now and will send an answer later this afternoon,
Kat
Cynthia,
Congratulations on starting your vegetable garden. You’ve already made several good choices.
Raised beds are an excellent way to manage the soil content for growing vegetables & fruits.
And a drip system can reduce water needs up to 50% when combined with mulch.
Grouped below are some answers to your soil and planting questions. More information is available from CSU Extension and Colorado Master Gardeners at https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/.
First, Soil Amendments:
Before adding anything, it’s important to know the nutrients in the soil you added to the beds. The best way to determine this is through a soil test.
Soil tests are available from the CSU Soil Testing Lab. Instructions are in the first link listed below. The next several links are to CSU Fact sheets on how to add the soil amendments/fertilizers needed.
CSU Soil Testing Lab: https://agsci.colostate.edu/soiltestinglab/
CSU Fact Sheet - Choosing a Soil Amendment: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/choosing-a-soil-amendment/
CSU Fact Sheet 7.611 - Fertilizing the Vegetable Garden: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/fertilizing-the-vegetable-garden-7-611/
CSU Fact Sheet 7.247 – Nitrogen Recommendations: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/vegetable-gardening-nitrogen-recommendations-7-247/
Second, What & When to Plant:
The Sample Planting guide has a chart for cool and warm season crops, plant spaces, planting times, etc. The next several links discuss in more detail the various types of vegetables you may plant.
CMG Garden Notes 721 – Sample Planting Guide – Raised Bed Gardens: https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/721.pdf
CSU Fact Sheet – Cucumbers, Pumpkins, Squash, and Melons: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/cucumbers-pumpkins-squash-and-melons-7-609/
CSU Fact Sheet 7.616 – Peppers & Eggplant: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/peppers-and-eggplant-7-616/
CMG Garden Notes 717 – Growing Tomatoes: https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/717.pdf
Please review the information and if you have additional questions on this or other issues, feel free to contact Ask Extension again.
Thanks,
Kathy
