(And Don’t Forget to Plant a Flower)
Now that spring is in the air, it’s time to start thinking about your growing possibilities! Whether you live on a few acres of land or in a small city apartment, there are lots of ways to take advantage of the upcoming growing season. For those brave enough to start working their outdoor garden, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and radishes can be planted mid to late March. Leafy veggies such as spinach and lettuce can also go in the ground this month. Don’t worry – all of these plants are strong enough to withstand a few frosty nights. To get a jump on summer veggies, try starting tomato and pepper seeds indoors with a growing light. Most herbs can also be started inside.
For those of you with an existing garden, you may want to work at clearing away remaining snow and picking up any loose branches that blew in over the winter. If the ground is still too wet and hard to rake, clearing away any debris will help the sun penetrate through to start warming up the soil. If you are using containers to grow, make sure your soil is well fertilized and moist before you begin to plant. Even if you are planting some of the hearty veggies we listed above, containers need to stay inside at least through March. The limited amount of soil can quickly freeze if left outside too early.
Since we are talking about planting, don’t forget that March 12th is Plant a Flower Day. Here’s our tongue in cheek acrostic to help you celebrate!
Find a small, established flower or some seeds you’d like to use.
Look for a nice, cheery pot the flower can grow into.
Open some fresh potting soil and get your hands dirty.
Wiggle your seeds or small plant into a nice hole in the dirt.
Energize your little creation with love, water, and a sunny spot on the window.
Regularly attend to your plant to make sure the soil is moist and it is getting good light.
Sit back and enjoy the beautiful sign of spring growing in your own home!
Gardening is not only relaxing and enjoyable, but it is a wonderful way to grow the healthy foods you want to eat. By growing your own veggies, you will know exactly what you are eating, and you won’t have to worry about your food having been exposed to harmful chemicals. Plus, if you plan your garden accordingly, you can end up with fresh produce throughout most of the year. To help you plan, refer back to our link to the Harvard School of Public Health: The Center for Health and Global Environment for a guide to in-season fruits and vegetables in the northeast.
Hope you are all enjoying the opening of Spring.