Would you believe that Spring is almost here? For some it may seem like it can’t get here quick enough because you may be wanting the warmer days to sit by the pool or play in the park. But for some like me it is because you can’t wait to get your hands dirty in the garden. To grow those fresh herbs to use in the kitchen and to see the bees buzzing around those beautiful blooms, well it is its own kind of magic, isn’t it? In the spirit of spring, I want to discuss some of the things that you can do to get your garden started.
Though spring isn't quite here yet but that doesn't mean you have to wait to get a head start on that beautiful garden. With nicer days upon us you may even be getting that garden itch and you’re thinking about cleaning up the yard, prepping the pots or even turning your soil. There are a few questions that you may want to ask yourself before just diving right in and getting your hands dirty. For the beginners reading this the very first thing you need to ask yourself is “What do I want to grow?” and the reason you should consider this first is because it gives you a foundation of not only what to plant and but when to plant it. For you more experienced gardeners you may need to ask yourself “Am I doing something new this year?” If you choose not to do that it is totally fine but make sure to consider what went well the last season and what may have struggled more than you would have liked and what you could change to make this season more successful for you. Some of you may be sitting here thinking “But I have a small space I can’t plant much” I’m here to tell you that’s not entirely true. There are so many options out there these days whether they are bought on Amazon or found as a DIY project from Pinterest.
When it comes to the actual planning your garden it great to have an idea of what you want to plant but before you get ahead of yourself you might want to consider how much space you have and what kind of light you have available for your plants. Though most plants do well with at least 5 to 6 hours of sunlight there are some that can take less and some that can withstand more light than others. For example, if you have a yard that only get 4 to 6 hours of sunlight then you may want to consider planting Impatiens, Begonias, and some varieties of Geraniums. If you have a full sun area that gets more than 5 to 6 hours of sun then I would consider plants like Lavender, Salvia, or Echinacea. Now when it comes to space this is where you may have to get creative. If you have a decent sized yard or a plot of land, then you have it made, and your possibilities are endless. If you are working with limited space this is where the creativity really comes in. There are options for vertical gardening from stackable planters to hanging baskets. The key is finding what works for you and what fits your style. I personally love adding vertical gardening to my limited space because it lets me create a little scared jungle of my own to enjoy. The best part about container gardening is you can move plants around if they are struggling and you don’t have to worry about disrupting the plants root system. Once you have determined the space you have and the light you have now you can confidently choose what plants to grow and where.
Currently, here in Colorado and it is almost the end of February the days are starting to get a little longer, the weather is getting a little nicer, and you can see little peaks of green here and there in the grass, and perennials. The buds are growing on trees and shrubs and on those nice days as the breeze brushes by you can smell hints of spring in the air while nature very slowly begins to wake and starts our gardening itch. This is where you know it’s a perfect time to get those seeds started indoors and give yourself a head start to that amazing garden you have been daydreaming about all winter. Now is the perfect time that you can start your cold crops outside in the ground, raised beds, and even in large containers, but I would recommend that you cover them on really cold nights to avoid freezing. I like to give mine their own little greenhouse with a clear plastic bottle over where I planted the seed. Typically, I will use a 1-liter soda bottle to a 1-gallon Hawaiian punch bottle. The bottle I choose will depend on where I am putting it and the space I have. For example, if I am planting in the ground or in a large, raised bed then I will use the 1-gallon jug. If I am planting in a small, raised bed or large planter I will use a smaller bottle just big enough to cover where I planted. Make sure you push the bottle into the soil ½ in to one inch, this gives the bottle some stability so that it does not tip over or fly away. One thing I have learned is that is good to remove the lid from the bottle so that there can be some air flow. If you choose to leave the lid on during the germination process, I recommend adding a couple air holes. Without fresh oxygen the soil and seeds can be susceptible to mold, mildew, and other potential diseases. Some examples of the cold crops that you could get started would be lettuce, kale, and cabbage. Believe it or not, you could also start you pansies and violas as they are cold tolerant, and they can withstand a light freeze. Now, if you have a spot indoors you can start your more tender plants like a windowsill or a shelf with a grow light then you can get some of your annuals and vegetables started. You can even get some of your herbs and perennials going that need to be a little established before being able to survive the cold. Now is actually a perfect time to get tomatoes and peppers started indoors. I also like to start my annuals like gazanias, marigolds, and other flowers now so that I have plenty of time to get them hardened off and acclimated when it comes time to plant them outdoors after our last frost.
I know there are seem like a lot of things to consider when it comes to gardening and getting started, and there is so much information available out there that can make it seem overwhelming. But gardening can be as simply and as complicated as you make it. I found the simplest way to think about gardening is that you take care of it like you would care for yourself. Humans need a few things to survive much like plants. We need water to stay hydrated, food to keep fueled, light for vitamin D and to lift our mental stability, and oxygen to breathe. Plants aren’t that much different. Every individual is different and has their different needs and plants are the same way. For example, a person who works a job like landscaping may need more food and water because they are more active throughout the day than someone who has a desk job that sits in a temperature-controlled environment. Well plants like lavender that are drought tolerant need more sun and less water then say impatiens that do better with more less sun and more water. The fact still remains that every plant will strive with proper watering, feeding, and light.
I hope this helps to get you excited for your own gardening journey. Keep checking back for new blog posts and more information that could help throughout your gardening experience. I look forward to sharing more and continuing my journey with you all. Until next time this is Crystal signing off and I'll meet you in the garden. Happy Gardening!!