Question
Hi, I am currently working as a volunteer for an orphanage in Northern Thailand (IHF in Chiang Rai) We are looking for ways to make the project more self sufficient and also for ways to get the children and volunteers working together. We would like to start a garden patch but have absolutely no idea what to plant and how to treat it once planted. Could you offer some advice or sign posting so that I can get this project started please? Thank You!

Answer
My first recommendation would be to not start too big on your first garden.  Gardening requires a certain level of experience which can only be gained through trial and error.  Too many gardeners start off overly ambitious only to become disheartened by weeds, pests, and disease. Start with some easy vegetables such as lettuce, tomatoes, and peppers.

The first basic in gardening is soil preparation.  You want to ensure that you have the proper foundation for your plants to thrive.  This means ensuring proper drainage and nutrients.  Whether your soil is clay or sandy, I always recommend adding as many amendments to your soil that you can get your hands on.  These materials include aged manure, peat moss, and compost.  You also need to control the PH of your soil.  PH kits are available at most garden centers.  The proper level is 7.0 for most plants.  If you find your soil is too acidic, you need to add lime.  If it抯 too alkaline, you need to add gypsum.

Once the seedlings sprout or your transplants are planted, you need to water to a depth of at least one inch per week.  You also need to fertilize with a well balanced fertilizer once every two weeks.

Next, you need to monitor the plants for pests.  Row covers are available for young seedlings which protect them from the elements as well as insects.  If you do use them, make sure to remove them once certain vegetables blossom.  You need to do this for pollination. If pests begin to overtake your garden, you need to resort to pesticides.  I personally utilize only organic controls such as pyrethrum and rotenone.

Unfortunately, what I have documented provides the mere basics of gardening and only touches on the subject.  Methods such as seed starting, composting, companion gardening, and disease control are also very important, but too vast to thoroughly cover in this forum.

I would highly recommend getting a good general gardening book.  Usually, these give you ample information on a plant抯 growing habits and characteristics.  I recommend 揝quare Foot Gardening?by Mel Bartholomew. Another good one is 揟he Joy of Gardening? Many more can be found at your local library or book store.

Attached are several web sites which will definitely help you in your endeavor.

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/plantanswers/vegetables/veg.html
http://www.shepherdseeds.com/tips.asp?5
http://www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html
http://www.fernlea.com/veg/index.htm
http://www.fernlea.com/annual/index.com
http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC1152.htm
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/gardenframes.html
http://www.squarefootgardening.com

Good luck with your project. Please write again if you need assistance.

Regards,

Mike