Absolute Beginner's Guide to Starting a Vegetable Garden || Black Gumbo 

Nice video Scott. I'm far from a beginner, but it never hurts to watch your video's. You covered the very basics. One thing a beginner should keep in mind. Once you know gardening is for you, start composting. I started out composting in a garbage can in my first year. I have expanded on that quite a bit since then, but any amount of compost you can make will help your garden.

Hey Scott. I just wanted to say, as I’ve watched your channel grow over the years and become larger, I truly appreciate how you have never forgotten the beginner gardener and the way you cut the fat to simplify gardening where it can be overwhelming to beginners. As a seasoned gardener I still get so much more that I expect each time I watch your videos. Keep up the great work!

Nice Shering

I like the string method. Hope you avoid the deep dive in temps the upstate SC mountains 32 the next 2 nights I covered all my fruit trees weeks ago. Well 30mph winds today I will look crazy with all the tarps and old sheets but all the tornadoes etc.thiscweek has thrown a monkey in the substantial fruit. Have a blessed day.

Texas heat allows more shade with some crops. I used shade and cover last summer to keep my plants from burning up.

Not new here but love the fellowship of sharing some of your life in the garden, and David and John and the other RU-vid gardeners I watch. Although our gardens are not identical and our methods and ecological zones are different (even when you and I are separated by only a few hours of driving) we share a core love of life and each express our intellects in how we analyze and adapt to our local conditions. I used to be a teacher in the 1990’s and one of my last teaching contracts was in Houston so I love watching you teach, it brings back good memories. 👍🐝🥔🌽👩‍🌾

I'm not new to gardening but i sure have learned lots of great things from you.i agree water is water. You got my thumbs up.

As a subscriber, I highly recommend Scott’s channel! I’ve been gardening for years and I still learn from Scott and others.

Thank you, your video is straightforward and informative!

Brand new gardener and you’re my first sub. You won me at “count your blessings you have a water hose”. So many gardening and homesteading videos want to shame me because I don’t have the most ultra natural holistic methods. It’s a process. Im just trying to make some vegetables appear out of the ground in my backyard first.

Thank you Sir. I just retired (Washington State). We have three acres and will be putting a garden in our old horse pasture. I appreciate your video and am looking forward to watching more!

As others have already stated - I am not new to gardening, been at it consistently for about 10 years. But - always love to find out things I missed or never knew. That's the beauty of your video. Btw, scuffle/stirrup hoe - I learned that from you last summer - and dude, BEST.THING.EVER. Keep 'em coming. :)

Love the video. Thanks for sharing 👍 😊

I'm not new to gardening but gotta watch ALL your videos ❤️

Great content as always. I think we will be seeing a lot of new gardeners this year and they can learn a lot from you, just as we experienced gardeners do!

I’m going into my second year of gardening and totally agree with what you said about mistakes. Made my share last year but chose to view them as learning experiences. I’m really enjoying gardening. Well except the weeding. I have a fairly large yard and unfortunately inclement weather & old injuries allowed those weeds to just blow up. Now trying to wrangle those weeds into submission. It’s still under debate who will come out on top but I will persevere.😊 Thanks for your videos. They and others like them help us new gardeners to keep learning and growing just like our plants.

Hey scott! Just subbed today! Making a container garden behind my apartment building, with the land lords permission ofcourse have some 15 gallon grow bags coming she says it's fine aslong as it looks neat, and we get plenty of sun out there. You're videos have been very helpful!

I NEEDED THIS VIDEO TWO YEARS AGO!!! THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP. ....SINCERELY.

I have noticed that rain water is way better to use but water hose is better than nothing 👍

Funny, when you were talking about thinning you said: 'you don't need to feel sorry for your plants' - I felt that. You were talking to me, lol. This year I'm going to use starter plants...maybe next year I'll try starting some things from seeds. I'd watched some of your videos last year or the year before about growing veggies in containers so I've already picked up 10 of the 5 gallon fabric pots and 3 of the 7 gallon ones with the flaps. Due to budgeting (and crazy weather in the northern panhandle of WV) I'll be buying my plants the beginning of June - I keep going to the local Lowe's and scouting out what is available and asking lots of questions. I do already have one little plant going though - just before I chopped up some celery to make soup last month I came across a video telling me that I can regrow celery from the bottom of the stalk. So I put it in water and then the weather got really cold and gloomy for several days and I was doubting it would work. But once the sun came out and we stayed above freezing leaves started sprouting. Now I move it around to different windows throughout the day so it can get as much sun as possible and it's doing well. Time to put it in some dirt (I do have a bag of mix) soon. And I've been paying careful attention to the local weather. Thanks for your videos!

Hello. I'm very new to gardening but learning so much from the garden community via utube. I'm in central Florida and growing lots of our southern peas and beans. My soil is terrible (clay 4-6" and pure muck after that) so they should help. Thanks for your information and teaching all of us. May the Lord keep your thumb green. Thanks so much.

So much great info! Thanks for these videos!

I dug up 4'x4'x6" dirt & grass. sifted out the grass and rocks. Mixed some homemade compost with organic fertilizer and put back into the hole. It was so much work.. overdone 😂 My large radishes and cilantro failed. But I get seeds. French breakfast radishes did very well. Kale is also going strong. The soil is still kinda hydrophobic, but better than everywhere else in the yard. And getting better on its own. I started a second 3x3 spot. I just raked up the grass & moss, covered with cardboard. Put dirt-compost mix into holes and planted. So far so good. I plan to mulch with compost over the winter. I'll probably actually buy a bag of soil next year to place on top and just aerate with a fork. I have watched hundreds of videos for years before starting. Then I finally went outside and broke many of the rules. I just decided to let nature talk to me and accommodate her. I bought seeds, a shovel, a compost fork, a trowel, organic fertilizer, and seeds. Later I bought inorganic water-soluble fertilizer as things flashed yellow. I also got a meter to check moisture. Water confuses me. My plants did not wilt or curl or anything. But when I started checking with a meter, it said dry. Even after watering, a few hours later, dry. So I got a hose and started to basically 4x my water. My plants are just growing more. I think since it's in-ground and droughty, the rest of the yard just sucks away water. Also the top 2 inches stay wet longer than the 4 under that... I can't explain that one. It does get soaked when I water. Anyway, now I have the needed tools. I've gotten a little more experience. I was intentionally cheap in my approach. Next year I just plan to invest more on the soil creation & maintenance. My biggest learning thing so far is simply to mulch better and to be more organized. Planning ahead so you can get the timing right matters a lot. Knowing what goes where and when so you can take action matters.

Merry Christmas to you and your family. I like your easy listening no bullshit style.

Weeds are a missed placed plant. I do get weeds in my garden. I like how you made your garden beds. I have a garden every year. Have a Blessed night 🙏💓🤗

This was great! I'm in my fifth year of gardening, and learn something new each time.

Thinning is the best advise!

I'm a brand new gardener at a community garden plot that my family is renting in the Boston area. I'm overwhelmed with where to start. The plot is overgrown and I don't know what's good and what's bad. Not sure what previous renters have planted. We'll be planting in the ground. Looking forward to learning more from your channel! Your straight-forward simple approach in this video has been much appreciated by this gardener newbie!

your videos are amazing for a beginner, i can't wait to get started

Excellent video. Answered lots of questions for me. Thanks

Another great video Scott ❤️ you're a great teacher 👍

I’m far from a beginner, too, but as every gardener knows, you never know all there is to know. I enjoyed this video & will certainly share it with all the gardeners in the community garden I lead. Thx, Scott!! ❤️

Great content as always I think we will be seeing a lot of new gardeners this year and they can learn a lot from you

Thank you! I am brand new to gardening and I am doing both indoor hydroponics and a few outdoor as well and also started a bunch in the grow bags, I live in the florida panhandle and my soil is basically pure sand!!! It’s HORRIBLE!!! So hopefully these grow bags will work out for me…. I’ve made my own soil mix with all the organic stuff I could get so hopefully it does me well. It’s confusing learning both hydroponics and soil gardening because they are pretty different but I’m having lots of fun with it and it’s definitely my new hobby 🌱

I do garden. But never hurts to have a fresh up!😜😉😛

What a fantastic video! Not only for beginners, but a great refresher for gardeners that only have a few seasons under their belt (like me!). Can't wait for more in this series! I just picked up a couple of table grapes that I have to get into the ground. I'm binge watching videos on how to do that. :D

Great video, Scott!! I just love your no-frills approach to solid, steady, reliable gardening. You help me feel so much more secure and confident every spring! :) Great to see you!

Great basic info!

I am not a new gardener but I love your video. Gardening basics is all you need, sun, good soil, water and plants/seeds.

Thanks Scott! I hope your channel helps me in SWFL, So hot and humid. Soooo frustrating but ready to give it another try for a mini garden

Every new gardener should watch your channel.

This is great. Thanks so much.. this is perfect for beginners and more😍😉🤓

Your great. You make it easy. 😉😘

Good basics primer. I’ve gardened for well over 40 years and I continue to learn. And make mistakes. Always enjoy your content.

Many good reminders here for more experienced gardeners too!

I love how encouraging you are! So glad to find your channel.

Good video Scott. I am thinking about you and how far you have come since you started this channel. ----- Jesus is soooooooo good. Isn't He? Ray Delbury Sussex County NJ USA

Great video Scott. Love that you covered the basics for beginners. Too often, the folks do too much high tech, assume you know a ton, and this is a big turn off to the new gardener. I like that you stick to the basics, sun, soil, water, nutrients, and planting methods. I am rebuilding an old garden area with new raised bed system (Vego Garden) starting small and re-learning on the way. Back to growing my own food. Thank you for all your help!

I've watched this one before, but, there is a lot to learn and refresh my memory.

Another good video. I'm glad you posted this, as I'm sure there are many new gardeners out there. I noticed that you planted only a few squash. Have you ever trellised your squash? It would allow you to grow more.

Those were great tips. thank you

Hi Scott! I wouldn't call myself a "new" gardener but I learned a whole bunch today! Thanks so much!

What a pleasant approach! I'm enjoying listening while I putter in my garden. Thanks and God Bless.

Been guarding for years but this is a great video for beginner and I seeing a baby girl running around in the yard again that is a wonderful sight to see tell her hello for me and have a great weekend

My township provides free compost if you're willing to go pick it up! I haveva small compost pile going (gotta be careful renting) butost of our compost comes our town! Add in inexpensive peat moss etc... and amend for pots and raised beds!

You are always so spot on! Sharing your wisdom with as many as I am able to reach! Thank you and may the blessing of the Lord be upon you, yours and all who see your vids!

Lovely video

Super video. Nice to hear the very basics. I'm """still""" waiting for the cold weather to """GO""" away.. Everything is ready for planting or will be. Still fighting the Cancer. It been a very long road . Gardening keeps my mind off everything else. My God Bless you and your family. O yes that Phoebe thing too.

Thank u for dumbing it down for us lol. Some channels make it seem like rocket science & overwhelm. You explain well.

Thank you 😊 one thing I should have watched for in my garden was wind. I live in South Florida, next to a canal and the lay of the land makes for a very exposed eastern side (the ocean) that clocks some very high winds -- sometimes 30 to 40 mph. It's not all the time, but it's in the spring and thus I lose most of my avocado, mango, mamey and jackfruit flowers before they've had the chance to become fruit. The upside is that now (five years after I began) those trees are becoming tall enough that they are shielding the rest of the garden from the spring winds. Thank you for all the help you give. I have learned a lot from you. 🦋🌻🦋

Thanks Scott. Lots of good tips for the beginner gardener! Hoping Ms Phoebe is feeling better. You do an awesome job with your content and videos.

Great video! Not new to gardening but love to watch all things nature!!! keep these great videos coming!!!

Great video! One thing I’d add for gardeners in high desert, “full sun” means sea level full sun! I’m in central NM, 5000’ elevation. Full sun here cooks things pretty badly. But it’s something that can be worked around. I plant runner beans on trellises that will shade my peppers. Corn provides shade and it loves our sun. But I don’t advise any tilling here! I’m building soil from adobe soil up. Tilling the desert is what gave us the first dust bowl. Roots keep soil down. Tilling destroys the systems that hold soil together!

Thank you for the video.

Yes, just try it! That’s my best bet. New to Texas and it’s a whole new world! I’m not far from you and you have taught me plenty! Thank you. Blessings!

Thank you Mr Scott for your expert knowledge and advice on gardening 👩‍🌾. I am learning a lot from you and am growing herbs and veggies for the first time 🌺

Im a newbie here in western Pa still too cold to do anything but seedlings indoor, your videos are very helpful thank you!!

Nice video😊👋

Im so happy I found your channel!!! I live in Daytona Beach Florida so Im glad you're zoned 9a also. .. really great content I appreciate your help gardening.

Something I do to create a hole when transplanting. I loosen the soil then use the pot the plant is in to create the hole by pressing the pot into the loosened soil. I then have a hole exactly the size of the pot.

Great video! Fantastic information for beginner gardeners!

I’ve certainly learned a lot from watching you!😊

Great beginners gardening utube❤️You explain things anyone can understand .

Nice educational video.As always, thank you.Scott.

Great content thx

Hey Mr. Scott! Alabama zone 7B here. I just want to start out by saying that I absolutely enjoy your candid, down-to-earth, and mild mannered way of teaching and making videos. It’s almost therapeutic lol. My question would be have you ever planted some smaller varieties in containers since as the Little Bing, Napoli, ect. and what is the smallest size container you can do so with? Also what is recommended size for peppers? I’m not new to in ground or bed gardening by any means. However, I am new to having limited space and I am now working with just a patio lol. Also, how did your Aji Charapita go? I have tried to grow one for 2 years and they never make it out of the seed tray.

Hi Scott, Good one! Wishing everyone a successful growing season. How about champion plants? Thanks Scott.

Thanks

You take away the intimidation of inexperience. Question: I want flowers too. Wondering about any negative aspects of adding borders of small low growing flowers along with the veggies.

Tip if you have a salt based water softener for your home... Make sure you use the bypass valve if you are watering plants with anything connected to your softener. The extra salt will kill your garden. I made that mistake once.

Wish I had your size land. Thanks 🙏

great stuff, your thumbnail photo listing, no "N" in vegentable

We had a mouse in our shop office where we grow our seeds. Trying to keep them from eating the plants I ended up with really leggy tomatoes. I’m disappointed, but hope to just plant them deep enough to help the plants.

Great vid

I'm a little disappointed as I don't have a sunny area to plan in. Going to try some container guarding though.

Wow my yard is filled with earth worms. I had no idea that was a good thing. ❤

While double digging a garden throw in that gypsum and other goodies (years ago I did gypsum and mulch for rosebushes for my flowerbeds) to make the soil better. Lots of work but once it is done it is so much better!

Thank you for the video! I am new to bed vegetable gardening and I’m excited! I am near Houston, Texas and I have Texas Gumbo soil too! Since the warm weather is upon us, do I need to start seeds indoors with a lamp or can my vegetable seeds go straight into the potting soil in our raised garden beds? Thank you! We are planting broccoli, carrots, blue lake beans and spinach.

Thanks for another great video Scott. I started growing tomatoes in pots last year after watching some of your videos and didn't do to bad until we came down with Covid and I couldn't take care of them. I believe they came down with blight. I am going to start all over again with fresh Miracle Grow potting soil. My question is can I use the old potting soil to put on bare spots in my yard to plant grass seed? Also, do I need to wash out my containers? Thank you for any help you can give me.

Every year I tell myself I will find a new way to help me remember what variety is planted where. In the end, I always wind up waiting till they ripen to figure what variety is what. I once grew what I thought was Green Zebra and wound up with 5 different varieties of which none were Green Zebra.

New gardener here up in Conroe zone 8b. Your information is invaluable, thank you for sharing your knowledge. I have six raised beds and the gardening soil to fill them cost a pretty penny. Can I use the same soil each year by just amending over the dormant months? I also started a compost pile four months ago that is not ready to use yet. Thank you!

Of note.. from personal experience.. when planning where the bed will be, take note of the trees in spring that may not have leaves yet. You could put your bed right in a nice shady spot unknowingly!

I'm in zone 5 b in northern Missouri I bpought 8 grape plants from walmart it's still in the 30's ans some 20's at night they all have leaves on them one has vine that's around 2ft tall not sure when I can plant them do I need to clip them or what lol

I did not have any luck with my tomatoes this year! A lot of end rots! 😢

Or, if you're lazy like me, you skin the grass with a string trimmer, and sheet mulch with cardboard. Build a raised bed (mine was only 6" deep) and fill with soil (my garden was small, so I bought bags). Plant what you want (I did plant stubby carrots rather than long ones, because the bed was shallow). By the end of the season, I could stick my arm down into the soil up to my elbow. Now I'm at a different house, still gardening the same way - but this time I NEED raised beds because my best gardening area is directly over the natural gas pipeline.

Hi Scott can you tell me how to plant tomatoes and cucumbers?

It's always good to go back to basics so I appreciate this video. I'm starting an experiment with urine of all things. I have two large piles of grass clippings from last summer that I fowled up trying to compost so I'll be adding urine to one of them to see if it makes a difference. Time will tell! 😎

Hi there Scott, I am new and I'm from Southern TX in Laredo. I believe I'm also zone 9. I noticed you have your raised beds with cinder blocks, and i wanted to get mine started the same way. how often do you water your beds and do you get sunburn on you plants sometimes?

Great information! Thanks for explaining everything and each step so clear and easy to follow. I had a great squash crop going last year, and almost overnight it was destroyed by squash bugs! What do you use to discourage or prevent these invaders in your garden? I didn't use anything other than an all natural pest control, which didn't help or it was too late to save any plants! I plan to watch all your other videos, thank you!

Top of the day Scott, Word vegetable looks better without that N, heehee. Sir last year wife and I did 5 gallon buckets for our garden, ended up with 21 buckets (screw those gophers), it worked out great, in each bucket one bag of miracle grow garden soil, each bag otyielded about 3/4 of a bucket, this year we will be filling the buckets up. Scott my question to you sir, now that i have taken all the dirt out of the buckets and sifted thru the soil, removed all root balls, and any signs of roots, the dirt still looks very good.............. i was quite amazed on the amount of night crawlers i found in the dirt...... Please Scott inform me whether or not i can reuse that soil for this years bucket gardening, i was going to buy new but it really looks quite good still.