Newbie - how do I start? - Ask Extension
I want to convert a flower bed (overgrown with weeds last year) into a garden this coming spring. I got tiller to prep the soil, but that’s about ho...
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Newbie - how do I start? #923352
Asked January 05, 2026, 10:06 PM EST
I want to convert a flower bed (overgrown with weeds last year) into a garden this coming spring. I got tiller to prep the soil, but that’s about how far I’ve gotten.
I would like to know of any good books or links to get educated on the subject.
Chanhassen, MN
Carver County Minnesota
Expert Response
A librarian would be a great help and it is nice to sample gardening books before buying because the ones with the most appeal are expensive.
My favorites are Square Foot Gardening and the Victory gardening series of 3 books. If you are planting perennials concentrate on killing all the weeds. It will take time because there will be many seeds in the ground that won’t sprout this spring.
There are many resources online, I have listed several.
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/planting-vegetable-garden
https://extension.umn.edu/find-plants/vegetables
https://extension.umn.edu/how/planting-and-growing-guides
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/beginning-vegetable-garden-basics-site-selection-and-soil-preparation/
https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2013/09/EHT-076.pdf
https://www.provenwinners.com/learn/make-your-bed
https://extension.unh.edu/resource/preparing-vegetable-garden-site
My favorites are Square Foot Gardening and the Victory gardening series of 3 books. If you are planting perennials concentrate on killing all the weeds. It will take time because there will be many seeds in the ground that won’t sprout this spring.
There are many resources online, I have listed several.
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/planting-vegetable-garden
https://extension.umn.edu/find-plants/vegetables
https://extension.umn.edu/how/planting-and-growing-guides
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/beginning-vegetable-garden-basics-site-selection-and-soil-preparation/
https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2013/09/EHT-076.pdf
https://www.provenwinners.com/learn/make-your-bed
https://extension.unh.edu/resource/preparing-vegetable-garden-site
