Starting a garden - Ask Extension
I have some questions on how to start a Victory Garden. Not only as a means of growing food for the full time staff on property, but also to show the ...
Knowledgebase
Starting a garden #890072
Asked November 19, 2024, 9:18 PM EST
I have some questions on how to start a Victory Garden. Not only as a means of growing food for the full time staff on property, but also to show the scouts how a garden functions and how to start one themselves. I’d like to know if there are publications on best practices for the Ohio growing climate, what crops should grow, and other topics like soils, sunlight, etc.
Montgomery County Ohio
Expert Response
Hello,
There is a Victory Garden organization in Ohio and it is run by the OSU Extension. The group is separated into counties and the Montgomery County OSU Extension office would have information about starting a Victory Garden and also normally has a seed give away sometime in April. Last year Montgomery County had seeds available at the OSU Extension office in Dayton starting on April 10. The 2025 seed giveaway has not been announced yet.
I have listed a link for an article about Ohio Victory Gardens. It has a ton of information about starting a garden in ground, in a raised bed or container.There is also information about milk jug seed starting that you could do in the winter with the Scouts. That link and other links listed below also have how-to videos for starting a garden which would be very helpful.
Once you have decided where your garden location is, in ground, raised bed, or containers, soil preparation is important. It's always a good idea to do a soil test in order to determine the PH and any nutrient deficiencies. It's also important to know when the average last Spring frost date in your area. There are cool season crops that can be planted in March and warm season crops that have to be planted when the danger of frost is over.
If you are new to vegetable gardening, it might be best to start off with a small plot.
There is a lot of information in the articles that I've listed below. Please write back if you should have more questions. You may also contact your Montgomery County Extension office for more information about vegetable planting.
Thanks for asking Ask Extension.
Betsy B. - MGV
https://u.osu.edu/ohiovictorygardens/
https://u.osu.edu/ohiovictorygardens/author/bennett-27-2/
https://u.osu.edu/ohiovictorygardens/get-your-garden-on
https://u.osu.edu/knoxcountyag/2018/03/21/a-beginners-guide-to-starting-seeds-indoors/
https://extension.osu.edu/today/spring-garden-preparation
https://athens.osu.edu/sites/athens/files/imce/Ag_Docs/Garden%20Calendar_1.pdf
https://montgomery.osu.edu/home
There is a Victory Garden organization in Ohio and it is run by the OSU Extension. The group is separated into counties and the Montgomery County OSU Extension office would have information about starting a Victory Garden and also normally has a seed give away sometime in April. Last year Montgomery County had seeds available at the OSU Extension office in Dayton starting on April 10. The 2025 seed giveaway has not been announced yet.
I have listed a link for an article about Ohio Victory Gardens. It has a ton of information about starting a garden in ground, in a raised bed or container.There is also information about milk jug seed starting that you could do in the winter with the Scouts. That link and other links listed below also have how-to videos for starting a garden which would be very helpful.
Once you have decided where your garden location is, in ground, raised bed, or containers, soil preparation is important. It's always a good idea to do a soil test in order to determine the PH and any nutrient deficiencies. It's also important to know when the average last Spring frost date in your area. There are cool season crops that can be planted in March and warm season crops that have to be planted when the danger of frost is over.
If you are new to vegetable gardening, it might be best to start off with a small plot.
There is a lot of information in the articles that I've listed below. Please write back if you should have more questions. You may also contact your Montgomery County Extension office for more information about vegetable planting.
Thanks for asking Ask Extension.
Betsy B. - MGV
https://u.osu.edu/ohiovictorygardens/
https://u.osu.edu/ohiovictorygardens/author/bennett-27-2/
https://u.osu.edu/ohiovictorygardens/get-your-garden-on
https://u.osu.edu/knoxcountyag/2018/03/21/a-beginners-guide-to-starting-seeds-indoors/
https://extension.osu.edu/today/spring-garden-preparation
https://athens.osu.edu/sites/athens/files/imce/Ag_Docs/Garden%20Calendar_1.pdf
https://montgomery.osu.edu/home
