I am new to this forum, I am going to try to keep this as short and sweet as possible...

I would like to start growing a vegetable garden, in containers, indoors and year round. I was researching online on how to plant specific things, such as garlic. I read a how to and it basically said you have to wait 8-10 months to harvest. That's really long and I am wondering how people can harvest all year. Planting in intervals? Planting a lot? I want to head out to my indoor garden, whenever I want, when I want and pick the things I want to eat that day. Is this unrealistic? I'm wondering how grocery stores keeps things stocked year around, of course there are different sources from other countries and of course, seasonal fruits and vegetables but it would be interesting to know.

I do plan on planting from seeds as well, which I know take a lot longer, but when the harvest comes, how can I have what I want everyday? I also am an avid juicer, I juice a lot of things and the cost is quite expensive. If you don't know this by now, I am super new to growing anything. I have 2 houseplants, but I did grow stargazer lilies from bulbs a few years ago that keep coming back every year. That's the extent. I do plan on purchasing books from amazon and doing more research online.

I intended this to be a lot shorter, I apologize, I'm hoping to get some insight from here as I don't know any vegetable gardeners personally.

Thanks!

Anni

there is a market forum that have alot of growers that grow in high-tunnels/greenhouses or just in the dirt.

Garlic needs a time of very cold, I haven't been able to get it to work for me.

I can't speak to how grocery stores work or how to do large scale container growing. My approach is to plant according to season, grow fully organic whenever possible, rely heavily on compost with as many free inputs as possible, using square foot gardening techniques.

Myfamilysfarm- I live approximatley 40 miles from Gilroy, CA "the garlic capital" I'm wondering how cold it has to be as normally in the winter, it gets to the low 40's. But in the summer it is crazy hot (90's) because they are more inland, so when you drive through Gilroy, you can smell the garlic, it smells soo good! I usually smell the garlic during the summertime though.

mrclint- that's good to hear that you harvest year around! Just exactly how long did it take you to get a system going? And I'm wondering if there is a chart system, or something in a spreadsheet with dates or something that one could use to plant this and when and then expect to harvest it, and then plant again?

defrost49- I am in zone 8b, in CA I don't plan on growing vegetables outside, although, I guess the mild climate where I live is possible. It seems like where you live gets pretty cold and possibly snows? I think it *maybe* gets below freezing a couple of times during the winter.

I guess the interesting thing is, and I just realized, that a lot of produce comes from the valley near where I live, especially artichoke, strawberries, broccoli and salad. I think this is a year round venture because they supply a lot of vegetables to other states. But I could be wrong, I am completely naive when it comes to this whole gardening thing and I guess my next step would be to contact my local co-ops and organic farms in the area.

As with my living situation, I would prefer to garden indoors if possible and maybe use grow lights? That was the only thing I could think of as getting vegetables year around. But I guess if it could be done outside, I could try too...but we have so many critters and things, I really think indoors is a better option...and I rent and so my veggies would have to be in containers anyways, as my landlord isn't very keen on the idea.

Anyways, thanks for all your replies! Hopefully I can get this gardening adventure started.

Here in LA County we have a month by month guide that is excellent, but much of it might not be very helpful for you. Check out some of the UC Davis information as well. You live in the salad bar for the world, you'll be fine. :)

Mrclint-I will be sure to check out my local resources, thanks for all your help :)

Wish me luck everyone! I will need it, despite the great gardening area I live in LOL.

Keep in mind that container plants will need watered and fertilized more often. The fruit is usually smaller also. All depends on what size of 'pot' you use.

It is much, much more difficult and will probably take you many years to get to the point where you can harvest year round.

Can you get a community garden plot, if you don't have a yard?

In your climate, you can grow outdoors all year, and be harvesting all year. I do it. Be prepared for a lot of work, and, even outdoors, several years to figure out what works for you and for your plot of land.

Check out Territorial Seed for info on what to plant when. It might not be too late to plant now for winter eating.