I have been a gardener (flowers and veggies) for years but this NH soil is trying it's best to kill me. I'm used to the loamy, fertile soil of Western New York and for the past 4 years I have been trying to garden in beach sand. I'm not kidding.
I compost like a crazed woman and this year I will plant a cover crop in the Spring (need help with crop suggestions). I am considering Austrian winter pea. I've read that I can plant it as early as Saint Patricks Day.
I have also come across bugs that I've never encountered before. So far I have been able to identify them and have a bit more control. Last Fall I said those famous words "next year I'm not going to have a garden" but after drooling over seed and gardening catalogs I'm still willing to fight and I know gardeners stick together and by the end of this growing season I Will have better soil and be a bit saner with help from forum members.
My ladies are pets also who give great eggs and their bedding is a wonderful addition to the compost pile but it does have to age more than other materials.
Thanks for the welcome and I can't wait to have time to ask questions.