Before I found this Fourm I had No Idea what I was doing. I had a Cap One Secured Card for a year and I decided to try for a Walmart
Card in Nov and got it. I was told I needed 5 credit cards to boost my Fico so Off I went trying to get 3 more and racked up ALOT of Inquires.
38 In total "I Know I know" lol. My question is, How long should I garden before I ever reply for another Card.
Starting Score: 610
Just the Walmart one lol
ALl others said too many inquires
They hit less after 6 and even less after 1 year. They dont matter between 1 yr and 2 when it falls off. That hope of going 6 months to a year helped me not give up.. I once had 100 -- no joke
Starting Score: 475
Take what you have and sit in the garden. Only app for credit when you "need" it. 
July 2013 score: EQ FICO 819, TU08 778, EX "806 lender pull 07/26/2013
Goal Score: All Scores 760+, Newest goal 800+
Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge
Current scores after adding $81K in CLs and 2 new cars since July 2013
EQ:809 TU 777 EX 790 Now it's just garden time!
June 2017 update: All scores over 820, just pure gardening now.