Planning and Planting a Spring Garden

It’s that time of year again. Can you feel it?

The soil is calling, the bunnies are ready to nibble on seedlings, and the compost is ripe. Ah…springtime. Time to plant the garden and reap the harvest.

I start off by drooling over seed magazines-literally. Then, I move on to my mental “wants” vs “needs”. I’m partial to Baker’s Creek Heirloom Seeds, (thanks to the introduction by a lovely reader, Janice). The variety of heirloom plants and seeds that can be found in this magazine is utterly amazing.

Do you want purple cauliflower? Striped tiger carrots? Marbled tomatoes? Done.

Gurney’s Seeds also has a great variety of seeds and plants offered-they’re just a bit more mainline and most are not heirloom seeds.

Next, I make an in-depth spreadsheet (because I’m a nerd) with what I absolutely need for the garden, price it all out and keep it all under $100 utilizing coupons and online discounts.

Spending less than $100 for an entire summer of produce-plus canning, dehydrating and freezing options-just makes sense.

Take that Whole Foods.

I save money on water by using Rain Barrels, making my own garden critter deterrents and utilizing my kitchen scraps to create compost.

I also save money by growing as many seedlings as my naughty cats will allow. Let’s just say we’ve had two instances already this morning. Wet paws, dirt and fur were flying.

Next comes the soil test (which can be bought at Lowes & reused multiple times for about $5). I’ll usually need to add cow poop, ground up shells or bones-along with my winter compost. I also save money each spring by renting a tiller for about $15, instead of a hefty purchase price and then storing the dang thing.

Once the ground is warm enough (the “zone board” is fighting about whether we are a zone 6 or a 7, so I just go with my gut), I’ll either transfer the seedlings or plant directly into the soil.

Using soaker hoses conserves water and slowly offers the plant a dribbly drink rather than a monstrous monsoon. Dribbly drinks creates deeper and more established roots for the plant. I also like to cover my soaker hoses with weed-free, grass clippings, which helps to conserve water and keeps the soil moist.

Moist. Moist. What a weird word.

And wouldn’t you know…these little stinking seeds do what they’re supposed to do! It’s like there’s a God or something.

Before long I have more tomatoes than I know what to do with, zucchini coming out of my ears and a steady diet of fresh, pesticide-free produce and herbs.

Typically, with the first harvest, I do a little green clog jig in the garden while the neighbors watch on with bewilderment.

Ah…springtime. I love this time of year.

Getting Ready to Garden-Bunnies Beware

I know-it’s only January 3rd. But, it’s never too early to start planning your garden. I’ve been thumbing through my Gurney’s and Baker’s Creek Catalogues, spending hours plotting and scheming.

I’m such an organizing freak, that I made an excel spreadsheet outlining what plants and seedlings I would be buying, along with the planting schedules, cost and soil needs.

I know-I’m a Class A Nerd. And I’m ok with that.

A wonderful reader-Janice-sent me Baker’s Creek Heirloom Seed Catalogue last year-along with a bunch of seeds. I was so ecstatic to try things last year that I normally wouldn’t, that I went about my garden tossing seeds *to and fro.

Who knew that Biceps and I would love okra so stinkin’ much. I’m planting double this year. And, I’m adding cauliflower. Yum.

(*Actually, all seeds were carefully placed into the soil and no seeds were harmed during my skipping and frolicking while wearing these cute green clogs.)

Look at this beautiful soil, just ready and willing to grow yummy vegetables.

My Spinning Composter is filled to the brim and ready to fertilize my soil-naturally.
My Rain Barrels are full and ready to offer free rainwater for the garden.
The dutch clover is protecting my soil from erosion and is going to be a lovely green fertilizer come this spring.

Now, all I have to do is wait and soon, I will have this. But for now, I will enjoy the canned produce, yummy salsa and jalapeno jelly from last year’s harvest.

And, I will wait patiently (somewhat) for the new planting season-when I brush off aforementioned cute green clogs and get down and dirty with my seedlings.

So, bunnies-BEWARE. Your time of bouncing through my vacant garden willy nilly is coming to an end. Enjoy it now, furballs. Enjoy it now.

How are you planning for your garden?

Heirloom Seeds & Sweet Readers

I love you, my dear readers.

I know that others may say that-but I mean it so dang much. I wouldn’t continue blogging if I didn’t love each one of you-even the weird ones (actually, the weirdos tend to be my favorites-Gwen at the Bold Abode, you know I’m referring to you).

I know others make money at blogging, but the windfall of $15ish dollars that I make from my few advertisements every other month really doesn’t do much for me. True, it buys me a few Starbucks cups of coffees and that’s nothing to ignore…

The reason I blog is that I love to create and share with others that appreciate what I do. I eat up your sweet comments and your encouragement over my projects. In fact, I have one lovely reader that has been so supportive and comments on my blog so often that I feel like we are old friends-her name is Janice.

She was kind enough to send me snail mail after she read my Garden & Landscaping Preparations post, where I highlighted my favorite seed catalogue-“Gurney’s”.

We are in the same climate zone and she was interested in expanding my seed loving horizons beyond Gurney’s. Janice sent me this catalogue from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. (I, nor is Janice, getting a kickback from this catalogue. I just wanted to share with you something that I love.)

Immediately, I found a new obsession within the beautifully photographed pages of the catalogue. Any company that sells purple cauliflower has the part of my heart reserved for all things “garden”.

All of the seeds from Baker Creek are heirloom, non GMO seeds. And the varieties they offer of each plant is breathtaking.

I have never seen a white or orange watermelon in my life.

And not only did she send me this wonderful new catalogue that I can’t put down, she also sent me a variety of heirloom seeds for both my vegetable garden and my flower bed.

I had to look up most of the seeds, being unfamiliar with most them. I can’t wait to get out in the dirt and start planting my fancy new seeds. This gardening year is going to be spectacular!

Thank you, Janice, for blessing me with such a unique and wonderful gift. I am excited to get planting!