Test your soil, especially if you're in an older house. Lead could be an issue, so you'd have to either have a raised bed or add amendments to balance out the lead. You also want to know if you have too much/little of other essential nutrients so you can amend if necessary. You can call the county extension agent, or look online, for a kit.

Knowing how much sun your yard gets is essential. You need 8 hours for full sun plants such as almost all veggies. Herbs can take less.

Look at your neighbors' yards-which appeal? Go and introduce yourself and ask what they did.

We started by buying pre-made raised bed frames at Home Depot, put in soil, etc. then planted. Agree with others you build over time. Here in DC, there are various programs, again check with your county extension agent, about those in Arlington, so i take advantage of those.

Anonymous wrote:OP, have you asked your neighbors if there is a garden club in your neighborhood? Is there a community garden - they usually post contact info. Both of these would be great resources of free knowledgable people who love to help new gardeners.

Oh, good idea. There is one just a few streets over. I will check it out. Thanks

OP, have you asked your neighbors if there is a garden club in your neighborhood? Is there a community garden - they usually post contact info. Both of these would be great resources of free knowledgable people who love to help new gardeners.

There are Grow It Eat It workshops in Montgomery Co:
http://extension.umd.edu/growit/montgomery-county-vegetable-gardening-classes-and-events

If you google Master Gardener or GIEI for your county or DC I'm sure there'll be some close to where you are.

Anonymous wrote:OP If you get into gardening, you will find it is the best therapy in the world. The more you dig the happier you become. I can't wait to get my fingernails dirty -- hopefully this weekend.

OP here

I really want to get into it. My dad was such a huge gardener and I have such fond memories of it as a kid. I remember many lazy summers laying in the backyard eating fresh fruits and veggies. I just want my kid to have that experience and my dad always took such comfort in gardening. Hopefully I have his green thumb!

OP If you get into gardening, you will find it is the best therapy in the world. The more you dig the happier you become. I can't wait to get my fingernails dirty -- hopefully this weekend.

OP here! Thanks everyone. I think it might be a good idea to stick to container gardening for now (at least until we can get a better feel for the house). I really appreciate all the advice and can't wait to get my hands dirty!

OP, if you need help with pruning, several friends of mine have used Yankee Clippers and were happy with them. They have a website.

Most people say not to make a big change until after you've lived in the house 12 months, so that you can see the garden through one entire season.

Have fun.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP. Greensprimg Garden Park off Little River Tnpk and Braddock Rd in Alexandria. Very helpful volunteers and any native plants that will grow well in Arlington soil

NP here. DH and I bought a house with a half acre about 10 miles from Green Spring Gardens, but I'm not clear what they can do for us. We are TOTAL beginners. Like, I don't even know where to begin at all. We have a huge old vegetable garden and lots of garden beds around. I'm not looking to buy plants - first, looking to maintain what we have. Would they have volunteers who could help us from total scratch like that?

What I'd really love is someone who could visit and actually explain to us what we have and where to start!

If you took pictures and brought it tow Greenspring, I bet they'd be happy to discuss with you. Make sure you are also able to tell them how much sunlight the yard gets throughout the day.
If you really want someone to come and look at your house, call a nursery (maybe Merrifield?) and find out what it would cost to have a consultant come out.

Anonymous wrote:OP. Greensprimg Garden Park off Little River Tnpk and Braddock Rd in Alexandria. Very helpful volunteers and any native plants that will grow well in Arlington soil

NP here. DH and I bought a house with a half acre about 10 miles from Green Spring Gardens, but I'm not clear what they can do for us. We are TOTAL beginners. Like, I don't even know where to begin at all. We have a huge old vegetable garden and lots of garden beds around. I'm not looking to buy plants - first, looking to maintain what we have. Would they have volunteers who could help us from total scratch like that?

What I'd really love is someone who could visit and actually explain to us what we have and where to start!

OP. Greensprimg Garden Park off Little River Tnpk and Braddock Rd in Alexandria. Very helpful volunteers and any native plants that will grow well in Arlington soil