healthy living
Easing into spring gardening Start preparing now both indoors and out
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lthough we’re not far into 2014, many of us are chomping at the bit to begin our gardens. The urge to grow and produce food and beauty is primal and after a long winter, the need to reconnect with the earth is renewing and promising. Luckily, gardening is about so much more than planting seeds and harvesting growth. Many tasks can begin now as you look forward to and ease into spring. Clearing drainage ditches Leaves and debris gather in drainage areas over the winter. Now is the time to ensure the spring rains will have adequate runoff. Spring seedlings do best in soil that drains well. Because vegetative growth is at a low point in early spring, this is the easiest time of year for clearing drainage ditches. And be sure to put the cleared material, usually dead leaves and small branches, into the compost. Spring compost piles are commonly short on carbon-rich materials, and every addition helps. Make repairs Now is the time to repair any bowed sides to raised beds and fix trellises and fences. Soggy winter soil can put strain on raised beds; any bowed or leaning sides should be fixed before any planting is done. Dig back the soil behind the bowed side and drive in new stakes on the inside of the sideboards leaning slightly inward. Plant early spring vegetables Soil is ready for gardening once it is free of ice crystals and crumbles easily. Soil that is too wet is easily compacted, reducing beneficial soil aeration. Common early spring crops are peas, spinach, lettuce, and leeks. Follow these crops with root and other cold-weather choices like broccoli, cabbage, radishes, kale, turnips, potatoes, and onions. Most folks in northern Colorado 12
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don’t plant until mid-May due to the timing of the last frost, but some plants can sustain frosty nights. Nonetheless, early spring plantings are vulnerable to hard frost that can set in overnight. If you expect a hard frost, cover seedlings overnight with anything you have on hand such as an overturned bucket, cardboard box (with a rock on top) or large flowerpot. Start seedlings indoors To be the safest and to ensure the lowest risk, start seeds indoors. The process of germination may seem complex, but the act of seed planting is actually simple. Seeds can be started in almost any kind of container that will hold one to two inches
of soil and won’t become easily waterlogged. Once seedlings form more roots and begin to develop their true leaves, they need to be transplanted to allow for root growth and have holes for drainage. Seedlings can be started in open flats, in individual sections of a market pack, or in pots. Individual containers are preferable because roots are disturbed less. Some containers (peat pots, paper pots, soil blocks, etc.) can go right into the garden with the plant during transplanting. Other pots must be slipped off the root ball prior to planting. You can recycle milk cartons and many types of plastic containers as seed-starting pots. Just be sure to poke a drainage hole in the bottom of each.
Classes to help you really dig in
We live in a community deeply rooted in the value of appreciating nature and sustenance. A number of local resources are available. Whether you’re a first-time or expert gardener, have space for a large back-yard garden that will support your family’s annual needs or simply want to grow a little food on your town-home’s deck find the information that you need. www.coloradogardening. com. This site includes many resources and events including those listed below. City of Fort Collins/ The Gardens on Spring Creek The Recreator (www.fcgov.com/recreator/index.php) lists numerous options for kids and families that will help prepare, educate, and motivate your family as you look forward to planning your spring sow. Courses offered to adults include Edible Gardening in Northern Colorado; Building Dry Creek Beds/Drainage; and Designing, Building and Planting raised beds for Vegetables. Options for children include Read & Seed where parents and children can team up to learn about the beauties of natural life following story time. Costs are minimal and discounts are often available for members of The Gardens on Spring Creek.