February is when I really start looking forward to spring garden prep! Sometimes I am a bit too enthusiastic – there were years early on when I started my seeds way too early and my seedlings outgrew their pots well before the last frost date had passed. If you’re anything like me, you’re eager to see the first signs of spring, signaling the turning of the wheel once more and ready for the awakening of the earth. Planning your garden can be a fun ritual that welcomes the promise of new growth. If you’re just as eager as I am to get started on this year’s garden, let’s jump in!
Reflect on Last Season
What worked well in the previous year’s gardening season? Did you try to grow anything new or different, or try to grow things in different ways or different parts of your garden? How did that go? I realized that I needed to have fencing at the ready – not even just a few days later – but ready as soon as I put my plants in the ground! So many of my plants became deer and bunny food instantly, so I’ll be sure to have that ready this year.
Plan Your Garden Layout
I always start with a list of items I want to grow, and then I make a sketch of my yard including all available garden beds. I start arranging and labeling on my sketch what will be planted in each bed. Consider a few techniques for placement while doing this:
Crop rotation involves planting different crops in different areas of your garden each year, and this can provide some important benefits:
- Different plants need different nutrients in order to thrive. Crop rotation helps maintain soil fertility by preventing the depletion of specific nutrients that would occur if you plant the same thing in the same beds year after year. For instance, legumes can fix nitrogen into the soil, benefiting crops that follow them, so move them to a different spot the following season.
- Certain plant diseases and pests can build up in the soil if the same crops are grown in the same spot over and over. Rotating crops helps break these cycles, reducing the risk of disease.
Companion planting is a method that involves strategically placing plants next to each other to benefit one another.
- Some plants emit scents or chemicals that repel pests, protecting neighboring plants. For example, planting marigolds near tomatoes can deter nematodes.
- Certain plant combinations mutually improve growth or flavor. Pairing tall-growing plants with low-growing ones can optimize sunlight and space.
- Almanac.com has a great list of companion veggies to get you started!
Working in a small space? No problem!
You can still maximize your garden yield with careful planning!
- Take advantage of vertical space by growing climbers like beans or cucumbers on trellises or using hanging planters for herbs.
- Plan multiple crops for the same space, staggering planting times to ensure a continuous harvest. For instance, planting quick-growing lettuce after harvesting early peas maximizes space use.
- Planting fast-growing crops between slower-growing ones optimizes space. For example, radishes can be sown between rows of larger plants like broccoli.
- Square food gardening helps you fill up small spaces and raised beds with more plants, which has the added benefit of helping crowd out weeds. We have these garden beds throughout the backyard – eight of them currently! There are also elevated raised bed options if accessibility is an issue and getting on the ground is difficult. And if you’re working with a small gardening budget, these fabric beds are very affordable and work great.
Seed Selection and Ordering
Selecting the right seeds is crucial for a successful garden. Consider the following factors when choosing seeds for your garden:
- Choose seeds that are adapted to your specific climate and region. Local varieties often perform better and are more resistant to local pests and diseases.
- Check the hardiness zones and growing requirements on seed packets to ensure they align with your area’s climate and growing conditions. Find your hardiness zone here!
- Consider your preferences and the purpose of your garden. Are you aiming for a vegetable garden, a flower garden, or a mix of both? Select seeds accordingly.
- Start planning your seed order early in February to ensure availability and ample time for delivery before planting season.
- Research reputable seed suppliers that offer a diverse range of seeds. Look for organic, heirloom, or non-GMO options if that aligns with your gardening principles. I am a fan of Strictly Medicinal Seeds for organic herb seeds, for example.
- Consider saving seeds from your own garden produce to reduce reliance on purchased seeds in the future. Learn about seed-saving techniques for specific plants – SeedSavers.org is a great place to get started on this!
Consider your specific gardening space to make sure you’re planting seeds that will thrive.
- Choose seeds based on the space you have available. Some plants, like vine varieties or sprawling plants, may require more space than others.
- Spend a day that you’re at home taking photos of your space at different times throughout the day. Aim for morning, noon, afternoon, and evening shots, capturing each area’s sunlight exposure. Reviewing these photos over several days offers a visual reference of where sunlight falls, indicating full sun, partial shade, or full shade in specific spots.
Indoor Seed Starting
Kickstart your garden by beginning indoors! This practice not only nurtures the seedlings but also you, the gardener. Tending to your seedlings can be a meditative, relaxing time in your busy day to catch your breath. Start by looking up the last frost date for your area here so you will be able to correctly time the starting of your seeds.
Gather up your supplies for indoor growing. It does not need to be an elaborate or expensive setup – as you can see in my photos of my seedlings below! – but you will need a few items, especially if you are not blessed with lots of natural light or wide window sills! Here is what I use:
- Seed starting tray with lid
- Organic seed starting mix
- A grow light fixture that includes a stand and bulb
- If you already have a lamp to use, this bulb works well
Soil Preparation and Composting
Now we need to turn our attention to the very essence that sustains our plants— the soil. Good soil health not only ensures robust plant growth but also generally nurtures the earth beneath our feet and is a profound act of stewardship.
- Healthy soil provides a rich and diverse array of nutrients that form the foundation for thriving plants. Understanding your soil composition allows for targeted amendments, ensuring plants receive the nourishment they need.
- Well-maintained soil structure supports optimal water retention. This is especially crucial during unpredictable weather patterns or the heat of summer.
- Here are a few resources for getting your soil tested – these labs can check the levels of important nutrients so you don’t over- or under-supplement, as well as check for harmful contaminates. This is especially important if you live near an industrial site or on a property that has seen heavy use of synthetic pesticides.
There are so many important benefits of composting!
- Composting offers an eco-friendly and affordable way to enrich your soil. Kitchen scraps, yard waste, and organic matter break down over time, releasing essential nutrients into the soil as a natural fertilizer.
- Compost promotes a thriving community of beneficial microorganisms. These microorganisms enhance soil structure, aiding in nutrient absorption and fostering a healthy ecosystem underground.
- Incorporating composting into your gardening routine not only enhances soil health but also reduces household waste. Kitchen scraps and yard debris find new purpose, contributing to a more sustainable and circular approach to gardening.
Some Helpful Composting Guidelines
- A balanced mix of green and brown materials in your pile or bin is best for compost health. Green materials include kitchen scraps and fresh plant material, while brown materials encompass dry leaves, straw, or cardboard.
- DO COMPOST:
- Peels, cores, and leftovers from fruits and vegetables
- Used coffee grounds and unbleached coffee filters
- Crushed eggshells
- Used tea bags (remove staples and strings)
- Fresh, untreated grass clippings
- Dried leaves
- Pruned branches, leaves, and other garden waste
- Unseeded weeds pulled from the garden
- Straw or Hay
- Shredded newspaper or cardboard
- DO NOT COMPOST:
- Meat and dairy
- Cooked food
- Diseased plants
- Pet waste
- Colored or glossy paper
- Coal or charcoal ash
- Citrus peels in excess
- Plastic or synthetic materials
- Large branches or sticks (just shred or chip first!)
- Weeds with seeds
- DO COMPOST:
- Regularly turning the compost pile promotes aeration, accelerating the decomposition process. This results in nutrient-rich compost that can be seamlessly integrated into the garden. You can get a tumbling compost barrel that makes the job easier, but using a pitchfork to stir up a compost heap or large bin is just as good too!
Meet your local gardening community!
Gardening is even better when shared with new friends! Connecting with the local gardening community not only allows you to socialize with a new group of people but also opens the door to a wealth of shared knowledge and experiences. Here are some ideas for getting involved with your local gardening community and making some new friends:
- I always recommend that people start with their local agricultural extension, and if you’re based in the US you can find yours here! My local extension has master gardener programs, classes for beginners, and even specialty classes like how to grow mushrooms. They’ll know everything there is to know about gardening in your area!
- Local nurseries, botanical gardens, or community centers are also great resources for gardening classes and tours of gardens of interest.
- Attend gardening or plant festivals in your region, offering opportunities to learn, connect, and discover new plants. If you live in Maryland, the Baltimore Herb Festival is held in May and is a fun one to check out! You can find a lengthier list of Maryland flowermarts and festivals here – there are a lot of them too!
Now it is your turn!
From the quiet planning of February to the vibrant blooms of May, the fruitful abundance of August, and the reflective hush of the winter solstice in December, each month brings its own magic and opportunities. I hope you are excited to begin your spring garden prep for the first time or return to another year of gardening and tending to your space, and that this post has provided some new ideas for you to try.
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