After a long, dark winter and a Valentine’s Day snow storm, it is finally time to plan your garden! True vegetable growing die-hards, like me, are already getting our seeds started indoors. For those experienced gardeners and newbies less prepared, it’s time to get planning! My husband loves to quote John Wooden (basketball player/coach) saying,“When you fail to prepare, you’re preparing to fail”! March is the time to prepare for the growing season!

Edible gardening basics to for 2021

What to Plant When

Crop selection is critical to early season success. March and April plantings should consist of “cool season crops”. Peas, spinach and lettuces are ideal to go in the ground now, with instructions like “as soon as the soil is ready to be worked (a.k.a not frozen). “Warm season crops” like tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers need much warmer temperatures and shouldn’t be put in the garden until later in May.

Seeds vs. Seedlings

The decision between seeds or seedlings depends on the crop. Root vegetables like radishes, carrots and beets don’t like to be disturbed and should be seeded directly into the ground. Consider buying local seeds, as they are best suited to our specific growing environment. Crops that take longer to grow, like broccoli and cabbage, will do better if planted as “starts”. For top success, find seedlings that are green and strong. Seed packages provide a wealth of information about when and how to plant and how long it will take before you are able to harvest.

Small Space – Don’t fret!

Small spaces provide a big opportunity to be creative! Many edible plants can be grown in containers. Plant a few pole beans in a pot and support them with a trellis – this can be done in an area as small as one square foot! Potatoes are great for small spaces. I put my potatoes in the ground as part of my St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Any container (bags or buckets) that holds at least three gallons of soil can be used for potatoes. Potato roots will grow if you fill the bottom of each container with a few inches of potting soil. Small spaces can still bring big yield!

The Key to Garden Success

Make a road map for your garden and see where it takes you! If you have never grown food before, make 2021 your year! You have nothing to lose and EVERYTHING to gain — Just think about what you like to eat and grab a pack of seeds!

“The time to prepare isn’t after you have been given the opportunity. It’s long before that opportunity arises. Once the opportunity arrives it is too late to prepare” John Wooden

Contact me if you need some help getting started and we can plan your space for this growing season!

Both in person and virtual video consultations available!

Let’s get Wallingford Good to Grow in 2021!