- Start planning what you want to grow, and be realistic. First off plan your garden so it matches what you want to put into it. If you plan too big, and can't invest enough time, it will become an unsightly mess and you will get frustrated. If this is your first time, start small, but do it well, and you will build your confidenc. Once you have sketched our your beds and what you want to grow- make sure to figure out what you need to buy as seeds, and what you should buy as young plants. Note this is personal as you can grow all from seed yourself, but some need to be grown inside first (sometimes it is worth the extra money to have a nice nursery do this work for you) My rough list, things to be sown by seed: peas, beans, radish, lettuce, greens, carrots, beets, turnips, collards, kale, rutabagas, corn, vine crops, onion sets, okra, dill. Items I buy as plants: tomatoes, onions, leeks, peppers, parsley, chives, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, eggplant, and cauliflower.
- Finish placing your seed orders: Places I love to shop from are www.superseeds.com (great variety for the home gardener, interesting types, lots of container vegetables too) http://www.southernexposure.com (a local source of seeds, got some interesting walking egyptian onions last year...anything local is good to me!) www.seedsofchange.com (has a few varieties I haven't found elsewhere.....golden chard!) and www.seedsaversexchange.com (just a good overall selection and excellent customer service! If your seeds don't sprout, they will send you new ones!)
- Think about your soil.... Remember whatever improvements you make to your soil, you will receive back tenfold......So be good to your soil :) This includes testing your soil to see what nutrients you lack in (check you local extension service), and adding LOTS of organic matter. It is best to add it before the winter so it has time to break down, but anytime is good. So start adding your compost, any leaves, aged manure, grass clippings etc. If you are placing them fresh, consider learning more about the Lasagna method (http://www.no-dig-vegetablegarden.com/lasagna-gardening.html) of building a raised bed. Once you know what your soil lacks- be smart about what organic fertilizers you need like greensand, bonemeal etc (not based on what you are growing will help you decide what you need) Also, when in doubt, check the pH! That will at least give you a headstart on what needs changing. You should strive for a pH of 6.5.
- Check what time is your 'last frost date' for your area. For me in Northern Virginia, Mother's day is the 'typical safe date'.
- Sowing seeds inside: If you choose to start plants inside, make sure you have the right materials like a grow light, good seed starting soil, seed starting containers (either soil blocks or recycled containers), and you get the timing right. I once started cucumbers MUCH to early and they got long and lanky and I had to ultimately compost them, sad!
- Do some outdoor cleanup: As the weather permits, start cutting back dead growth on your herbs and such and get a head start on your plants!
- Be creative! Think about what and how you want to grow things. There are so many creative ways to grow vegetables. You may want to use raise beds, straw bale gardening (http://www.no-dig-vegetablegarden.com/no-till-gardening.html), vertical gardening, container gardening, or apply some edible landscaping principles. Just think about your space, the time you can invest and getting them started, and let your imagination go free!
So as you see February is about dreaming, planning, and getting ready for the warmer months ahead. As February comes to a close, I have:
- List of items I need to do outside
- Placed most of my seed orders
- have sketched in my garden notebook where my beds are and what I want to grow in them
- put out ads on Craig's List for mulching hay
- Inventoried my garden and fixes I need to make (like my deer fencing needs complete rework)
- Working on my 2009 garden objective.
OK- let's move onto March!
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