I want to grow a few vegetables in summer. I live in Highlands Ranch, Denver and the soil is clayey. What type of plants can I grow and when do I start? My garden is south facing. The gardening area is not quite large but sufficient to make a small vegetable patch. Thank you.
What you grow is up to you. Most vegetables will grow where you are. Because you have clay soil, you will need to amend it some to make it better for vegetables (https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/how-to-improve-clay-soil.htm). We have put togther a growing guide that will help you with starting your garden: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/starting-vegetable-gardens-guide.htm
We have a garden plot, and last year didn't plant a garden. My dad and husband went ahead and sprayed it with a grass killer (against my wishes) because it grew up so much. It's been since last summer, and it's sat there over the winter. My dad says it will be ok to till up and plant this year. Do you think it will be safe for a vegetable garden, since it was sprayed last year? He said the grass killer only lasts a couple of months, and since it was sprayed directly on to the tall grass, it should be ok if tilled and fertilizer is added this year. I was just wondering about the chemicals and such - I don't want to be eating them through the veggies, and I want a healthy garden. What do you think I should do?
Almost all weed killers have a period of time after which where it is safe eat food grown in them. The time varies. This article should help you with that: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/how-long-does-weed-killer-last-in-the-soil.htm
What is in high demand for the market today? What is healthy that I could grow in my garden and sell to markets to profit off of?
With vegetables, you are pretty open to whatever you want to grow that thrives well in your area. Tomatoes and peppers are popular choices, as are lettuce, corn, cucumbers and squash. Just about any vegetable that is organically grown is marketable. With fruit, peaches and strawberries are fairly popular with consumers. The following articles should help get you started: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/starting-vegetable-gardens-guide.htm?src=slid, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/peach/peach-tree-care.htm, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/strawberry/growing-strawberry-plants.htm
Is it safe to use Roundup to clear weeds before planting vegetables?
Almost all weed killers have a period of time after which it is safe to eat food grown in them. The time varies but usually takes about a year. As a precaution though, I would suggest washing the vegetables thoroughly prior to eating. Here is more info: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/how-long-does-weed-killer-last-in-the-soil.htm The following article provides alternative weed killing approaches: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/homemade-pet-friendly-weed-killer.htm
My soil is very heavy and dense. I cannot see clay but it is very clay like. Last year was my first time gardening (vegetable) this area. In the fall I covered the garden with hay, straw, and the leaves that were for compost. Should I till all of it into the gardnen soil. If not, how do I fix this soil?
Tilling does help and is preferable. If you can't till, you can use lasagna methods for amending the soil. These articles will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/lasagna-gardening.htm, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/how-to-easily-improve-your-clay-soil.htm
Last August my boyfriend moved into his house and immediately started having problems with ants coming up through the kitchen sink. He ended up spraying Raid behind the house along the foundation. Now this spring I would like to plant vegetables. Is it safe to plant where he used the Raid?
After about a year without the use of any chemical, it should be ok, though the soil may still have remnants of the chemicals used. So as a precaution, I would suggest washing the veggies thoroughly prior to eating them.
Is burning brush in a garden good for vegetables?
While you may not want to burn directly in the garden, it shouldn't pose a great threat, as in most cases this will provoke additional growth--albeit in the garden you'll only want vegetables growing and not weeds. The best option would be to burn brush elsewhere and then add the ashes to compost, which can later be added to the vegetable garden. This article will help you: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/ingredients/wood-ashes-compost.htm