Spring Will Finally Be Sprung, Think Gardening in the Thumb!

Our one-day taste of sunshine and temps above freezing got me thinking about one of my favorite Thumb hobbies, gardening. Travel in my neighborhood and the home without a garden plot is the exception. By late August, people have tables out in their front yards with veggies to be had for free, the excess fruits of their labor. Some gardens are huge acres of manicured tilled land and some are small plots with a few rows of plants. It wasn’t long after I moved here that I wanted to try my hand at vegetable gardening.

Tomato Plants in My Garden

I am no professional, but I learned that trial by error is part of the fun. Each year I try to grow new things and it’s so rewarding to sow those little plants in early June and then watch them grow all summer and finally eat the fresh veggies. We don’t have a large area of cleared land so we planted our garden in raised beds. This is a great way to grow things if you don’t have a large backyard, you will be amazed at how easy it is to build the beds and how much you can grow in them. Here is a short video so you can get the idea of raised beds.

 

 

 

I have a friend who made the process even easier, she used old tractor tires for her raised beds. I have had great success with many things I have planted, cucumbers and tomatoes have done well and are very easy. If you don’t have room for a raised bed you can even plant these in a container and place it on a deck or patio. I have also done well with squash, potatoes and peppers. Pumpkins were a struggle as they need lots of room. The list of veggies to plant is almost endless, I stick with our favorites.

Some people are what I would call professional gardeners; they start seedlings in the winter, they test their soil, till the land, compost, etc. and that’s cool. But, I am much more casual. We rent a small mantis tiller in the spring and add some manure to the soil. Then, one of my favorite parts, shopping for the plants. Oh, what fun it is to choose all the baby veggies each year. Wojo's Greenhouse in Ortonville is great, a huge selection with beautiful plants. But, if you are on a budget, Walmart, Home Depot, even your local grocery can be a source. But, do remember to look for healthy plants that look cared for; many times the old adage you get what you pay for is very true with garden plants.

 

 

Garden Beds at Planting Time

 

Although I am so anxious to plant as soon as I have my new baby veggies at home I have learned from experience for most plants it is best to wait until after Memorial Day. Before that the soil is much too cold for tender plants and the risk of frost is still there. Planting is very easy, if I have ever have any question about how to plant a specific veggie I just look for video on the internet. Then, it’s true therapy for me to venture out to the garden each morning and check the progress of the plants. Watering, weeding, fertilizing, checking for pests; it’s not a chore but so relaxing.

 

Wow! Look how my babies have grown!

By late July the cucumbers are usually the first veggies to be ready. The freshness and the taste directly from garden to table is unbelievable. Then it’s tomatoe time, fresh salsa is the best! Like most other gardeners I am usually looking for friends and family to take some of the extras, we always plant too much. But, sharing is also part of the fun. No matter what and how much you plant, how serious you are, what works or doesn’t work, the most important thing to remember is to not be intimidated, have fun with it!

 

 If I can do it, you can too!