I moved here a year ago and other than trees I have a blank canvas. Having gone overboard in the past I'm limiting myself a bit. I built four planter boxes 4' x 1' x 1' for annuals that I don't have to weed. I have another bed about 15' x 2' for perennials and then I pulled out the big guns. I put in a 16' x 25' "tomato patch". I started with the huge pile of ashes from my outdoor boiler and then added 64 bags of topsoil. The local nursery provided 48 tomato plants and a dozen pepper plants. I learned a lot..... next year there will be a lot fewer tomato plants and a lot more pepper plants and maybe some green beans, etc. So far I have over 30 pints of diced tomatoes in the freezer and 37 pints of Indian Relish to use up the green tomatoes.....and I'm about to turn orange. I've given tomatoes to anyone who paused long enough to hold out a hand for a bag. It's been a fun season..... Now I'm looking forward to the 10 trees and 25 forsythia bushes coming from Arbor Day............oh joy.....and here comes the snow.
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Gardens can be a lot of work. I know I took over 3 plus a small orchard. Since my partner died I am left with all the work. The vegetable garden (55' x 65'
has been invaded by the roots of a large cedar. The orchard (30 dwarf trees) I am turning over to a friends daughter and grand daughter. The remaining 2 (mostly ornamentals) will take up most of my time. Good luck with your garden. They can be very satisfying.
JackPedigo
Level 9
Oct 31, 2019
1
I bought 2 1/2 acres with a pond and live here with my 7 Labs and it's all my job. I'm trying to be sensible and not make too much more work.
@Lablady1946 I have just over 1 acre and about 1/3 of that is forested plus our winters are temperate and not that cold and still it is too much. Good luck.
If you intersperse dill plants with the tomatoes, it's supposed to discourage hornworms while attracting black swallowtail butterfly caterpillars to the dill plants. I can't WAIT to put in a ton of dill next year! Had 2 stinky lil plants this year, with 4 chunky adorable caterpillars munching madly right before they went to cocoon.
LisaFultonave
Level 6
Oct 31, 2019
2
I didn't have any problems with critters other than chipmunks eating tomatoes on the ground. I fenced it to keep larger critters out. No bugs or worms.
I use fennel. Hre iis a winter crop. So in mid to late September I broadcast a pound or more of seeds all over the areas that will have shade in the early summer. The swallowtails love it. One day I'm going to harvest it just to see what it tastes like cooked, way too licorice for me raw.
@LisaF, do you know paper wasps are the hornworms worst enemy? I had gardens over forty years before I found that one out.
Veggie gardening is always a learning experience, depending on local bugs and disease, you can overplant one year and the next not have enough for a meal.
glennlab
Level 10
Oct 31, 2019
4
I try to stay with around 6 tomato plants per season(spring and fall)
I had four plants...easily 2 too many. Put up peppers in tomato sauce, pizza sauce, and spaghetti sauce just from these 4 monsters, PLUS are a ton fresh, and gave some away. First year in OH from CO,so yeah, I was a little over enthusiastic. 
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