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Newark Delaware

Hi,
I would like to develop a plan/checklist/calendar/guide to follow, sort of step-by-step. I have never done this before and just moved to a new area so I am not sure about how their climate affects my growning schedule. If I could get some help, it would be wonderful. I am now in Newark Delaware, I think zone 7. Can someone help me out with step by step and dates? For Example (I'm only guessing at the steps here)
<date> Prepare soil over winter
<date> Buy seed
<date> Germinate seed indoors
<date> Begin hardening off plant
<date> Transplant seed outdoors
<date> ?

1/3/2008 10:15:00 AM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

Here is what i would do, When is your last frost date>?

buy and collect seeds now.

Germinate seed April or early may

Begin hardening off plants late april early may

Transplant depends on weather forcast.

1/3/2008 1:30:32 PM

Newark Delaware

I am new to Delaware, but from what I can tell on the internet May,6th is the last day for a frost. Thanks for the help! I'm starting my pumpkin calendar now!
Mona Lisa

1/3/2008 4:12:23 PM

Minnesota

May I suggest putting in any question you might have in the site search in the top right corner of the page, it has a answer to just about everything in one form or another. Also in the links at the main menue there are some organizations that offer good advice and know how.

1/3/2008 5:40:36 PM

Rapid City, SD

grower diaries has lots of info with picture also......

1/3/2008 6:59:10 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Mona, I live way south of you (Kentucky) so I can not help with your calendar, But...lots of incredible info to be gained on this site, thru diaries, or search function, or coming to chat, or prbly best info will be gained by joining local growers group!!! Ask questions, (wsmpeace@aol.com)... be willing to do the work!!! Hope this helps!! Peace, Wayne

1/3/2008 7:21:13 PM

Newark Delaware

Hi,
thanks for all of the help. I also found a to do list on the Giant Dills site. Seems like my first step should be to test the soil, and I can do that by contacting the DE Agriculture something or another? I forget. I'll have to find it again. Does that sound right to everyone?

1/3/2008 7:30:50 PM

Kevinstinindians@yahoo.com

There are quite a few labs that test soil. Search on google and you'll find tons of info on soil testing.

You'll need to build some type of protection for your young plants. Like a large cold frame or a small greenhouse. I would set up whatever it is you come up with in mid-April to help warm up the soil at the planting site before you set out your plants. May 6th sounds like a good deadline for setting the plants out. I like to start my seeds 10-14 days before they're scheduled to be set out.

1/3/2008 7:44:51 PM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

No need to "buy" seeds. There are many people on this sight that will give you seeds for the cost of a bubble pack with paid postage. If you want email me at mfowler@hsc.edu. I can hook you up with some.

1/3/2008 9:49:45 PM

Newark Delaware

Thank you to everyone. I have a couple of people sending me seeds. I think that should be plenty. Now I turn to learning how to test the soil.
thank you again!

1/4/2008 7:57:34 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

When is your average last frost date?

1/4/2008 8:51:37 PM

Newark Delaware

I thought I read May 6th on the internet. I've only moved here recently so I had to look it up, but don't know from experience

1/5/2008 7:26:39 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

You could start 10 days before us here in Southern CT but 1 week would be OK most years.

So....

4/18 - Start seeds
4/25 - Outside into cloches

1/5/2008 4:20:39 PM

Newark Delaware

It's on my Pumpkin Calendar! Thanks Tremor!

1/5/2008 5:56:06 PM

Monrovia, CA

Hi Mona Lisa.....hope you don't mind my asking but do you attent U of D? I went there for an undergraduate degree even though I live in S.California (class of '89) Lived in Newark for a couple of years, as well as Landenberg, Pa.

Michelle

1/5/2008 7:47:42 PM

ordinary,VA

Steve is right on the money!! have started seeds in this area as early as April9th- April 17, outside.
last week of April should be safe.

1/5/2008 7:49:16 PM

Newark Delaware

Hi Michelle,
I don't attend UD because I moved here after I had my B.A. I moved to Delaware to attend Widener Law University. I think my husband will be going to UD soon. We have to live here a year before he can get in state tuition. We stayed in Landenberg with a friend when we came here looking for a place to live. Do you miss it? How's the sunshine, I forget what it's like? ha-ha

1/6/2008 4:38:04 PM

Monrovia, CA

Hey there!! yes, I miss the East Coast and all that wonderful space!! When I was out there we established a veggie garden and just had to go over behind the barn to access a wealth of cow manure (we lived in a house that was surrounded by diary cows) Over here I have to worry about neighbors peeking over the fence complaining about the smell...so one does things alittle differently to get the patch in shape. The sun is nice though, not to mention that incredibly loooonnnng growing season. Water is not as plentiful here as it is in Delaware,obviously so one is careful about how it is used.

Good luck in your new pumpkin-growing environment this season....I am curious to see how an AG does there!!
Michelle

1/8/2008 2:17:22 PM