Good for her!!

It all starts with the dirt. A good sandy loam soil is what I prefer for gardening but often in your area its heavy clay/gumbo. You can either bring in a top soil mix and put in raised beds or you can add compost, mulch, organic matter and maybe gypsum and sand to the gumbo until it gets "right". Bringing in good dirt is faster but both approaches work.

Then determine what you want to plant. Its time right now to have starter plants in the ground...have to start early in order to get a crop before the heat gets your plants.

Start small and add as you go along. Each season concentrate on building up your soil nutrients. It takes time but well worth the effort.

 

I appreciate it, thanks. I did see some one was giving away free manure on here and doesn't live that far away.. I may hit him up and start this tomorrow. Thanks.

 

Be sure you cut the manure, or that it has been sitting out a long time or it may be too hot. Mel's Mix from square foot gardener is 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 compost/ 1/3 vermiculite or pearlite. (wear mask if using vermiculite dust is bad for you) Mix on a tarp and add to raised beds. Had mine 3 years now, compost everything that comes out to put back in. Doing well so far.

 

Location of your garden is key. You need 6 hrs of sunlight...... Full sun... Not under a tree...

Next use a good rose mix for your soil

If you do it above ground give it time to rest prior to planting

Compost is great.....and consider going organic