Gardeners: Where should my garden go?

Hello Folks!

I just moved into a house, and I want to put some raised beds (8 x 4) in before the big freeze so I can be ready for the growing season.

I have a few choices on location in my yard. I will post pictures as soon as I take them. I am wondering, where is a good location to put a garden? (on what side of the house) Is there a spot where it gets too much sun? Should I be shooting for 8 hours of direct sunlight? Or more? I figure because of the intensity of sunlight, perhaps a spot where there is a little shade would be good during the day would be good.

When the wife gets back with her smart phone I'll take pics of a couple choices. My backyard mainly faces east with a good spot to cut into the lawn on the northeast, but it gets shade about 11AM until the afternoon when the sun is in front of the house.

Let me know what you all have had success with!

too much sun is relative to what you want to grow.

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Originally Posted by rbeau30

I am wondering, where is a good location to put a garden? (on what side of the house)

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South: tomatoes/peppers/squash/eggplant/Etc.
North: lettuce/kale/chard/greens

Lots of water and lots of sun can effect what ever your growing.
Talk to a neighbor or local garden supply for ideas. The front range has a huge variety of growing conditions and climates.
Factor in the cost of water for your area.

I'm going to try my green thumb too next year. I'll be using pots and I'll have move them around so they get sun but not too much (mostly morning sun I think is best), the summer sun here will bake the heck out of some plants.

-set up a drip system. You'll end up using far less water and will only be watering the plants you want rather than the entire plot.

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Originally Posted by hatidua

South: tomatoes/peppers/squash/eggplant/Etc.
North: lettuce/kale/chard/greens

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Yep
Different plants have different light requirements. Your yard will have many different microclimates. South side should get more sun. If you have a fence on the south side the plants against the fence will be blocked from the sun. What other plants are already in the yard. Trees? How much sun do they block? etc...
Biggest thing is to not be intimidated. I have seen too many people not grow their own veggies because the more research they do the more they realize they don't know. Do what you can for upfront research, but make sure you plant something. If it doesn't grow, try and find out why and change something the next year.
Your county extension office should have a Master Gardener in the soil sample office you can call and ask questions.

Great info fellas! I hope to call the Arapahoe County Outreach tomorrow.

Here is what I have:

Attachment 37337

Red is where I wanted to first put my two 8'x4' gardens, the area is perfect except I have noticed that the snow has not melted in some of the places that I wanted the garden.
Orange is my second choice. It gets some southern exposure but in late afternoon it is in the shade because of the house.

North is down BTW.

I already have a pear tree and two plum trees in the backyard a few more fruit trees that I don't know what they produce. Three grape vines, that produced really good this summer after I took posession of the house, Raspberries, Blackberries, Strawberries, Shallots, Asparagus, Mint is taking over the grass unfortunately, and there is Citronella plants and either carrots or parsnips but probably both but I think that is all so far. I moved in late in the summer so we will see what else pops up.

i'll bet if you swung by Tagawa they'd be happy to tell you.

You have a cool looking yard.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rbeau30

Great info fellas! I hope to call the Arapahoe County Outreach tomorrow.

Here is what I have:

Attachment 37337

Red is where I wanted to first put my two 8'x4' gardens, the area is perfect except I have noticed that the snow has not melted in some of the places that I wanted the garden.
Orange is my second choice. It gets some southern exposure but in late afternoon it is in the shade because of the house.

North is down BTW.

I already have a pear tree and two plum trees in the backyard a few more fruit trees that I don't know what they produce. Three grape vines, that produced really good this summer after I took posession of the house, Raspberries, Blackberries, Strawberries, Shallots, Asparagus, Mint is taking over the grass unfortunately, and there is Citronella plants and either carrots or parsnips but probably both but I think that is all so far. I moved in late in the summer so we will see what else pops up.

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Congratz btw..and I hate the HOA in that area.

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Originally Posted by ChunkyMonkey

Congratz btw..and I hate the HOA in that area.

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Thanks! Yeah you are right, a small greenhouse is going to be an interesting thing that I am going to try to get away with. :-D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Irving

You have a cool looking yard.

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Thanks! Whoever had it originally did some really neat things to it. The second owners stopped watering all summer so it needs a little TLC.