How I did it: I just started. I didn't have a clue what I was doing and was rewarded for my efforts with a bountiful harvest. If the soil is reasonable (add compost) and you keep the plants watered, you be rewarded.

Lessons & tips: Just do it. Learn by trial and error, and read the odd book. If if really takes your fancy do a course. Get involved with others and take the time listen to those with experience.
It doesn't have to cost much money. Some basic tools (a spade, a trowl and a hose or watering can) little compost and some plants. Fertilizers are mostly a scam, but maybe helpful in particularly poor soil. Compost is far more valuable. Start making your own asap from kitchen and garden wastes (and manure if you can get it).
Keep the soil covered as much as possible (with plantsand/ or mulch) as this helps retain moisture in the soil.

AND PLEASE learn to tolerate the odd pest. Anything the size of a snail or larger should be removed by hand. But pest like aphids are a valuable food source for beneficial insects whose populations will increase overtime to such a level that they will prevent most small insect pests from causing any significant damage to crops.
Spraying will kill these beneficials at great cost.

Oct 11, 2008, 10:03PM PDT | 0 comments | 1 cheer