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From: orost@homxa.UUCP (J.OROST)
Newsgroups: net.garden
Subject: Rookie Gardener
Message-ID: <998@homxa.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 9-Jul-85 13:13:52 EDT
Article-I.D.: homxa.998
Posted: Tue Jul  9 13:13:52 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 11-Jul-85 06:26:47 EDT
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 67

This is in answer to rookie gardener Julio.

 1)  Is it too late to  start  planting  flowers/vegetables  from
seeds.

Probably.  But don't get discouraged.  Try some mum cuttings  and
some  marigold  or zinnia plants from your local gardening store.
They are relative inexpensive and put on a good show.

 2)  What is best to kill off weeds from a lawn.

The best way I know of is to plant a good  strong  healthy  lawn.
Grass is one of the most persistent "weeds" money can buy.  Grass
will choke out all of its competitors.  Second choice is  "Round-
up"  (very  expensive) and then "Kleen-up" (very very expensive).
But--Stay away from chemicals.  There are probably other ways  of
taking  care  of  the problems which are better and healthier for
both you and the garden or lawn.

 3)  What is the best fertilizer to use on a lawn and garden.

Make sure the PH of your soil is around 6.5 to 7.  If below,  use
lime.    This  is  the  cheapest  soil  additive.   The  cheapest
fertilizer is the best.  But!!!!   Make  sure  the  first  number
(Nitrogen) is high.  For instance, 10-6-9 means that there are 10
lbs of nitrogen in 100 lbs of fertilizer. A higher  number  means
you can apply less, for instance, 20-10-10 can be applied at half
the rate.  Apply in Spring, Fall and Late Fall.  If  you  (insist
on  using) the expensive (organic stuff) follow the directions on
the bag.

 4)  Flowers and vegetables that are easily grown and  cared  for
by  a  rookie.   Start  by  planting  Dutch  Bulbs  in  the Fall.
Possibly, daffodills, tulips, crocus, etc.  Since  the  flowering
energy   comes  from  Holland and is built-into the bulb there is
little you can do to mess them up.  Get yourself a catalog.

The easiest vegetable to grow is the tomatoe or pepper.  Careful,
not  too  much  nitrogen  on these plants (unlike the lawn).  Try
something like 5-10-10.  The last two numbers are for  the  fruit
and the plant and root stock.

Good Luck!