More Veggies

The Garden Tips below are currently in no particular order (well that is if you don't consider 'off the top of my head' a form of order), and I expect them to remain that way. Actually, I prefer them that way. We have put newest entries first, that's sort of like order I guess.

• The best way to plant peppers is too close together
• My favorite plants are always the ones that Nature grows herself.
• Click here for Tips on starting seeds and here for recommended books on gardening.
• Don't handle Beans when they are wet.
• The peak time to pick Herbs is first thing in the morning.
• The best way to eat Cherry Tomatoes is straight from the garden while they are still warm. Yum! However, never eat any vegetable before washing it first, even organically grown veggies can have dangerous unseen critters lurking about.
• When growing gourds, you can let them grow up a post or fence (even a tree) but consider that the hanging gourds will be less likely to develop the more interesting shapes at the top (the gourds own weight will serve to straighten it out). Also, if you intend to have gourds that stand up well, try growing them 'standing' on an even board, to encourage them to grow the flat bottom.
• Drying Gourds: the best tip I heard was to wipe the gourds with Top Job straight from the bottle (use plenty of ventilation). Although my gourds were not 'ready in 3 weeks' as the author claimed, they were ready faster than previous years. The new Clorox spray works well too.
• Our take on strawberries: What's all the fuss about? We have a bed that is 4' x 20'. The only maintenance we do is to pull out about 8" of plants every 4-5 feet after the berries are done. We plant beans here and let the new plants wander in as they choose. Old leaves on the plants (you are supposed to get these out) we find to be helpful for keeping the berries out of the dirt. We have heard that Strawberry leaves are good in tea, but we won't go into that here.
• One of the best tips I've heard was about staking Tomatoes. Whereas wire can burn the stems, and twine can also cause damage, using pieces of old pantyhose is ideal. The hose 'gives' with the plant just enough, and heck the price is right! I have also tried it on pole beans and cucumbers and it works well there too.
• Ever hear of the Three Sisters of the fields? It is based on folklore/history of previous peoples, but involves corn, squash and beans growing together. The beans grow up the corn and the squash grows at the base of the corn, providing each other with necessary nutrients as well as discouraging little varmints (raccoons in particular) from nibblin' the corn.
• Basil plants do well when planted among tomatoes. They are slower to bolt because the tomatoes give them some shade, and the basil adds a nice flavor to the tomatoes.
• Don't smoke cigarettes around tomato plants, or handle them after smoking. Heck, just quit smoking, you'll have more time, energy, and money for gardening.
• Think twice before planting...or plant out of the way of the rest of your garden: Horseradish, Mint (any kind), Oregano/Sweet Marjoram. I have them all and I love them, but I have them contained so as not to take over the rest of the garden. Also consider where you want Chives, Strawberries, Jerusalem Artichokes and Asparagus.
• Got Seeds? If you have them left over from last year you can still use them. Seeds do lose some of their potency over time, so the germination rate will drop a bit, but toss 'em in anyway. You may be surprised at the results! 
• Compost: The ultimate recycling! Don't throw any meat products into your compost, and Heaven forbid! don't throw in any Horseradish, Mint (any kind) or Oregano/Sweet Marjoram seeds, leaves or especially roots. Also, when adding food waste to the pile, be sure to cover it with 'Green Manure' (leaves/grass/etc.) and turn frequently. Otherwise you may be attracting flies and a few of the local wildlife.
• Do throw a few earthworms into your compost heap every so often. They love it and you will benefit. We use the lucky few that survive our fishing excursions.
• I see my hints are all about vegetable gardening and I should probably say something about flowers for those of you so inclined. A few flowers in the vegetable garden helps attract bees which promote fertilization of your plants (hehe). Nasturtiums are especially good for attracting bees, plus they are edible. They are really cool (no pun intended) frozen in ice cubes and tossed in a punch or glass of lemonade. 
• If you wish to go the other way, and plant a few vegetables in the flower garden, I'd recommend squashes and gourds. This family of vegetables gets beautiful flowers (mostly also edible) and are comparatively easy to grow. There are also some peas and beans that do well and are quite pretty when trellised, Purple Bean Hyacinth comes to mind, though I don't think it is edible. Scarlet Runner Bean has pretty red flowers.
• The well-rounded garden will want to sport at least a showing of herbs. Lavender and Sage are easy to contain perennials and quite prolific... Chamomile and Dill are tall, delicate annuals with nice fragrances...for those that like cooking, Sage and Oregano are very easy to grow...there are as many suggestions as there are garden personalities. Just be careful, they 'grow like weeds'.