I need help. My husband and I planted a 'test' garden at our new home just to see how it would do. He tilled the soil and we made rows, then planted and started watering and caring for it. The problem we had was one (this is small) is the number of weeds we got, but the biggest problem we had was that the fire ants just had a field day in the garden. We ended up not getting anything out of the garden. The corn went to seed before it got to full height, the tomatoes never did anything and neither did my pickle cucumbers. Like I said, we got NOTHING.

My question is, now that it's Fall/Winter, what can we do NOW to start getting the garden ready for Spring planting that will be safe for the plants but will keep the fire ants out and control the weeds, too??? I mean, do we have to rototill it seven times (he did about 3 times last Spring) or what?

Any help will be greatly appreciated. We're into the organic way, but not sure what to do to make sure we can have a garden.

Thanks,

http://www.dirtdoctor.com/view_question.php?id=94 should be a good resource for you. Fire ants do not like biologically active soil. The soil must be in good health to grow healthy plants. Far as the weeds, it depends on what kind of weeds they are. Weeds grow in places that are bare. If you have bare soil, mother nature will put something there for you.

Also, this discussion board has many different sections or forums. There is a part about fruits, vegetables and herbs, a part to find out about events, etc. (Gardener Exchange), a part about weeds (Weeds), etc. This particular forum is about how to use the discussion board. Obviously, you are not the first one to post a garden question here, but I think you would find this discussion board more helpful by utilizing specific forums.

Oh! Hopefully bermuda grass is not what you tilled under. If you have bermuda nearby, you will need to do a raised bed or put a 4 foot tall barrier between the bermuda and the garden. (Maybe I exaggerate a little).