>Just bought a rototiller yesterday!  I'm going to grow vegetables on about
>1500 square feet in my backyard next year.
>If anybody has any tips for me, anything I should know to avoid disaster
on
>John Pavao

John, I'm an organic gardener of about 8 years.  First of all, subscribe to
Organic Gardening Magazine, the best gardening magazine around.  Then, read
everything you can get your hands on.  Visit your local county extension
office.  They can do a soil test for you (tell them you want organic
recommendations), and they usually have lots of pamphlets on gardening and
sometimes classes.  Like Paul said, Square Foot Gardening by Mel
Bartholemew is a great book and raised beds are easy and more efficient
(just don't use pressure-treated wood).  I also have his videos, with
step-by-step instructions if you want to borrow them.  You won't need 1500
square feet if you use his techniques (I have 300 sq. ft.).  You can start
a compost pile now with fall leaves and grass clippings and be ready by
spring for planting.  Better yet, build your beds in the fall and dig all
your leaves right in the beds with your tiller.  You'll learn which
vegetables are worth growing in your area (I've given up on melons and corn
-- too many bugs to fight).  I grow -- in the DC (zone 7) area:  lettuce,
green beans (yeah, I know, not Neanderthin, but I love them), broccoli,
cabbage, onions, leeks, garlic, tomatoes, peppers, cukes, zucchini,
pumpkins, various herbs and potatoes (I give them to my husband).  Having
my own fresh-grown produce has been wonderful on Neanderthin.  It sure
increases my veggie consumption.

>I am interested primarily in salad type vegetables such as tomatoes,
>lettuce, spinach, onions, carrots, etc. for starters.  If that works out
>maybe some fruit.
>Brian Glass

Brian, you'd be better off growing these outside with a cold frame.  Except
for the tomatoes, the vegetables you mention are cool-weather crops.  Even
in Michigan you could get a 9 month growing season with one.  There are
books on growing vegetables year-round, even in very cold climates, but I
don't remember the titles.  With my freezer, it's just not worth it to me
to have a cold frame.  Besides, I like a rest in the winter to dream about
and plan next spring's garden.

Mary Copeland