Nikki,

I gardened for 20 years in Fort Worth, and have been gardening for only three years here in Maine. The difference in climates is huge and takes some getting used to. I am still learning. Our summer days here in Maine are actually much longer than in Texas, though as you know, much milder. For some things, that is a big advantage.

The advice you can get here in this forum and the New England forum can be better than any book, but there are a few books to help jump start you. "Cold-Climate Gardening" subtitled "How to Extend your Growing Season by at Least 30 Days" by Lewis Hill, published by Storey Publishing in 1987, is still relevant and useful.

"New England Gardener's Guide" by Jacqueline Heriteau and Holly Hunter Stonehill, published by Cool Springs Press in 2003, has attractive color pictures and practical cultural advice for our climate.

A companion book is Gardening in New England" by Jacqueline Heriteau & Holly Huhnter Stonehill, also published by Cool Springs Press, but a year later in 2004. It foregos color illustrations, but has much more detailed cultural information, including localized planting times. I purchased both of those books from Sam's Club at a big savings.

If you are an organic gardener, Eliot Coleman's "Four-Season Harvest", revised and expanded in 1999 from Chelsea Green Publishing Co., should be to your liking.

Fedco Seed Company is a central Maine seed company that caters mainly to organic gardeners. Johnny's Selected Seeds is another central Maine seed company that caters to all gardeners, with many varieties that are well adapted to our climate.

If the Waterville area is a convenient driving distance for you (it is for me), you can visit both companies and purchase seeds and supplies directly and save on shipping. I'm not an organic gardener, but the last two years I have particularly enjoyed visiting Johnny's Seeds and I plan to do that once again in the near future. Johnny's has several hoes that I want to hold hands-on before making a selection.

I make extensive use of fluorescent light plant stands to get a head start on the season by setting out well advanced seedlings.

MM

Maineman mentioned the books I'd suggest but I still wanted to say welcome to Maine!

You can try contacting a local garden society. Ask about local garden tours. Find a good nursery in your area and ask questions. The answer is to ask lots of questions, and I can't think of a gardener who doesn't like to talk about gardening! If you see a garden that you love the look of..don't be shy..knock on the door and ask if you can look. I love it when people stop to ask if they can walk around..I dare say all gardeners do.

Funny, I lived in Florida for a few years and I thought gardening in the deep South was a challenge, I couldn't figure out what to grow until I took my own advice and started looking around.

Welcome to Maine. You have an adventure ahead of you.

MOFGA is holding it's Grow Your Own Organic Garden classes this coming Wednesday all over the state. I'm teaching the one in Ellsworth. Depending on who teaches the one you may go to, it may be very Maine specific.

Dan