Getting Ready for Spring

Okay, it is freezing cold outside and there is still snow on the ground, but that doesn't mean you can't be gardening! Ok...so you can't actually garden, but now is the perfect time to plan! If you have an already established garden, this might be easier, but if you are just getting started, use this horrible weather as an opportunity to figure everything out.

So right now, here are some of the things I am doing to prepare for the spring:

*Map out my garden's layout
This year I am planning to add new beds (who needs a lawn?), and edge my beds with cedar or untreated lumber to give my garden more definition.

Just sketch something out by hand, or download a program-there are various online planners. My layout was simply made on Microsoft Word using shapes and text boxes...and I can update it as I think of other planting ideas. For instance, that expanse of available deck space...

If you live in a condo or a small space, start planning what kind of planters you will need for the types of veggies you will grow. Deep planters for carrots and potatoes, long thin ones on your balcony railing for herbs, a salad table for lettuce...any size can have your own veggies!

*Choose my plants
This is based on what worked well last year (zuchinni) and what didn't (brocolli-seriously, I got one floret!)
What new veggies do I want to try (quinoa)? This will also help me to realize what needs to be started indoors for optimum growth (the spaghetti squash grown direct from seed last year were tiny).
Do I want to put in new flowers? Annuals or perennials? And what grows best in my area?

*Make a timeline
What needs to be started indoors? When? What seeds can go right in the ground? When? What I am buying at a pre-started plant? When are the last frost dates for my area (many Canadians wait until after the May long weekend).

*Make a shopping list
Buy seeds now-there will be more to choose from, and then you can use the guidelines on the back of the package to determine when they should be started and when they can go outside. Decide which plants you will not be starting from seed.
Start planning for what else you will need: border materials, organic fertilizer, mulch, trellises, tools, cute rubber boots decorated with flowers or ladybugs...sorry-daydreaming again!

*Get excited!
Look forward to getting out there, getting your hands dirty, and watching your veggies and flowers grow! Gardening is one of the most relaxing and rewarding activities I do. Every spring brings the opportunity to try something new and reinvent your space-that is worth getting excited over!

Good luck on all of you planning-it will be fun now, and will save you many a headache come spring...HAPPY PLANNING!


Some great resources:

Canadian Wildlife foundation http://www.cwf-fcf.org/en/what-we-do/habitat/get-gardening/getting-started/
This site is great as it has lots of gardening advice, but also shows how to make your garden creature-friendly

Canadian Gardening http://www.canadiangardening.com/design-and-decor
Gardening from a Canadian perspective

Martha Stewart http://www.marthastewart.com/
Because I love her and she is amazing! There is also instructions on building your own salad table on her site.

Not long enough weekend!

Ahhh-the sun has finally decided it is here to stay, and although the forecast calls for a few more bouts of frost, I have gotten out into the garden.

Although my heart (and my stomach) would prefer to be in the backyard doing my veggie garden, my front yard looks quite sad beside the well-groomed neighbours. We mow our lawn, but my flower beds have become dry dusty weed beds. After 2 days of digging, weeding, and covering up the front and side beds with mulch (my attempt at weed, bug and cat detterent all in one!), I must say it looks quite nice...despite the lack of flowers. So this weekend, the plants will go in! Then I don't have to look at my dismal front yard in shame every time I pull up to my house.

So the long weekend got gobbled up by asthetics. Today I got into the backyard and madly gardened during my lunch break (working from home has its perks). So now I have put in peas, spaghetti squash and carrots! I also built a lovely cage for my peas to climb out of bamboo stakes and wire! Cost: approx $6. (because I want fresh veggies but I am still cheap)

There is still so much work to be done! Two more beds to dig, prep and plant with lettuce, spinach, brocolli, zuchinni, and sweet peas (ok, they are not food-but sooo pretty!) And I really want to get this done by the end of this weekend-our growing season is short enough without procrastinating!

Happy Gardening!

Signs of spring

Two signs of spring today:

1. My neighbour's cat is pooping on my bare flower beds again. This must mean the soil is dry enough for me to start prepping my beds! I am planning on topping all flower beds with bark mulch this year to dissuade the phantom pooper. If anyone has anti-cat turd tips, let me know! I love my neighbours that own the kitty, so I want to find kitty-friendly solutions.

2. Gary (my back neighbour) has nicely turned soil in his vegetable garden (at least it looks that way). He has an amazing yard, both flowers and veggies, so following his lead can't hurt!