A few weeks ago, with more than a foot of snow on the ground, I purchased flower and vegetable seeds. It gave me a few moments to smile as I looked at the brightly colored packages and dreamed of the warm day when I would see a garden full of vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Since then, I have continued to plan and research in anticipation of the day that I can reap the first fruits of my efforts.
Gardening has been a hobby of mine for many years, and is a great way to get some exercise while creating a magnificent garden for viewing and eating. Seed packets will cost less than $2.50. For about $2, a four pack of most vegetables can be purchased and planted in your garden. Both will yield more than the minimal investment of for the seeds or the starter plants.
To start your garden, you need to know when the last frost normally occurs and in which plant hardiness zone you reside. This is just one of many zonal hardiness maps available online where you can enter your zip code to determine the zone in which you reside, a major factor used to determine what plants will thrive in your location at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
As you shop, your local garden centers will carry plants and seeds that are appropriate for your local zone. If you are purchasing seeds and plants online, then knowing your zone is even more important so your purchases will thrive in your zone.
Another important factor is knowing when is the chance of frost has passed. Even if the daytime high temperatures are rising, the nights can be cold, and the damage from frost can devastate your garden. If you plant early, be prepared to either bring plants indoors or cover them to protect their delicate foliage.
To save money, consider starting some seeds indoor in the next few weeks. Saving the plastic four and six-pack containers in which many seedlings are purchased can be used with good potting soil to sow some early plants that will not need much room to start. Look around your house for items to use to start your seeds - egg cartons and single serve yogurt containers are just a few things you may have around the house.
For inside growing, a warm sunny window or grow lighting is needed to assist in the indoor process. Some people prefer to use an outside cold frame greenhouse (created with a few pieces of wood and either an old window or heavy sheet of clear plastic), either starting the seeds in the ground or in small pots allowing them to have the daylight warmth and the evening cool temperatures.
If purchasing your seeds and plants online, select reputable sites. Burpee (www.burpee.com) has been in the business since 1881. Their site offers vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits in seeds and plants. Burpee's web site also have a grow calendar at www.burpee.com/gygg/growingCalendarNoZipCode.jsp.
Another useful site for local growing information and a location to take free or low cost seminars is through the Outreach and Extension in your state. For Pennsylvania, their web site is extension.psu.edu.
A few other things to do in preparation of starting your garden would be to turn the soil while amending it. A short tutorial for checking your soil is at www.ehow.com/how_2193665_amend-soil.html. Crop rotation is also important, as well as knowing what crops grow best together. One site that includes flowers, herbs, and vegetables is www.ghorganics.com/page2.html.
Dreamig of an abundant garden of freshly harvested produce makes me smile! I am eager to get outside and dig my hands into the soil to start my 2014 garden. Take a look at your yard, what are you planning to grow this year?
Next month, I'll have some tips for people with limited space like those in apartments and townhouses who may not be able to plant a traditional garden in the ground.
