Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83 based; site homxa.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!houxm!homxa!orost 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!