Garden Plot

It is March and it is time to get underway with getting that garden plot prepared for planting. In approximately three to four weeks, depending on where you live, you can begin planting your early or cool weather vegetables. Things like lettuce, spinach, chives and cilantro are among the vegetables that don’t mind cooler temperatures. And if you are a little nervous about the frost you can always start your seedlings indoors and transplant them later once the danger of frost has completely passed. To learn how, check out your local garden centers for dates for live demonstrations.

Here are some things you can do to get started.

  1. Think about attending one of the garden/flower shows in your area to get ideas and updates on what is happening in the industry. These are especially good as you can take advantage of free workshops and demonstrations as well as receive free samples of some new products. These shows are usually by paid admission, and if you can afford it, it is worth the trip. If you cannot swing the fee, home improvement and independent garden centers are also great places to visit and they are usually at no cost.
  2. While visiting your local garden center pick up a garden soil tester to test the PH of your garden soil. Ferry Morse makes a nice one and the cost is just at $20.00. The step by step instructions are very simple and should not be too much of a challenge.
  3. Use the soil tester to determine what kinds of vegetables you can plant in your garden or to make corrections by determining what nutrients are needed to bring the soil in balance.
  4. Make adjustments to your design and mark off the areas designating what will be planted where.
  5. Next issue — sowing seeds and getting seedlings into the ground.

Until then, Happy planning!