I planted my first garden this year from seeds (or tried to) We didn't really do much to the soil except add sand since the dirt was very thick and threw in some fert. pellets. We planted beans, which grew pretty good. Well I guess I don't really know what good is since I never planted a garden before. So good for me. We also planted cukes- I picked a whole 4 all season. Beetles got to some of them. We planted zucchini- I picked 2 all season.The plants are big but hardly no vegis.
Carrots, green peppers & canteloupe didn't grow at all.

I really want to try again next year, so I need to know what I should do to get the soil better.
What do I need to add & when?
Would it be better for me to use plants instead of seeds?
I know it is probably pretty obvious to you guys as to what to do, but I never did this before & have so many ideas and don't know which ones are right.
I trust this site and have already learned so much, so thanks in advance to you all.
Tammy

That is totally cool! I didnt know you could grow a mellon vine vertically. lol Maybe I should have asked before mine took over the yard and drive. I will have to consider it for next year.

The fertilizer was the possible problem..It caused your plants to grow nice green lush foliage instead of growing "fruit" all that green then invites all of the bugs and that can effect producing "fruit" also. Congratulations on your first garden! And even though you may not have harvested as much as you possible could have, that is a great start and that is what gardening is all about...Each year we all try to improve upon the previous year, we try different varieties looking for the perfect one that we like and will grow in our area or soil...and not just the variety that the local folks all say is the best to grow either. I have been growing a garden for many years, but each year I try something new, always trying to find a better way or more efficient way of growing things. So Tammy you are on the right track and doing great, you are asking questions which is a very good thing and I know that you will have the garden of your dreams in time if you keep working at it!!!!!

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Yes you can go ahead use the old compost to add to the garden. And by spring you should be able to use the compost from your new pile also. Most plants will keep producing until fall or cold weather, most veggies except cold crops need at least 50 degree night time temps and daytime 70's should be fine also. There is a prime time for production of veggies, then they decline in production, but will keep producing small amounts for quite awhile as long as the weather is warm enough. I would say that just adding the compost would be good enough for next season.

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Comfrey & Tkhooper,
Thanks for the advice.
I already pulled everything out of my garden.
Its getting colder and I'm thinking about getting a 2nd job (partime eves & weekend) so I thought I'd better get my yard & garden in order first.
So now I'm wondering what I can do to prevent so many weeds from growing in the garden. Last spring the garden was full of weeds before I planted.
Would a layer of grass clippings smuggle them?
Then could I throw the old compost on top?
I don't really know what I'm talking about just wondering.
Tammy

Thanks Deborah, I feel much better knowing I'm not the only one on this site that doesn't know about composting.
Tammy

Comfrey,
When you say I would have to add grass weekly are talking about during the growing season?
At this point I'm not thinking that far in advance.
I was just wondering if there was anything I could do now to get my garden ready for next spring and maybe there is something I can do now to prevent so many weeds from growing before I plant in the spring.
This was my first garden, so I'm just not sure?
I already spread a layer of grass & leaves from the lawnmower over the garden. Next I plan on adding a load of compost.
Am I doing this right?
Wow...I have so much to learn yet.
Tammy