In this Issue
February 2006

GARDENING IN NEW ENGLAND
Planning now will pay off in produce
By Edna Schron

Hello Gardeners!

As you're shoveling snow and cutting firewood, I'm sure you're anticipating 2006 in the garden. The garden can take shape by the fireplace as you peruse the garden catalogs that have arrived in the mail. Do some serious planning now to minimize labor and maximize output.

First, make a list of all the vegetables and flowers you'll be growing this season. Take advantage of the seed catalogs’ information about new varieties that are disease resistant, have the promise of better flavor or stronger fragrance, and greater insect tolerance. Try a new variety of a favorite.

Next, as part of your winter planning and to figure out how much seed to buy, draw a diagram of all your gardens and garden beds. You can use graph paper and use a 1/2-inch to one-foot scale. Take into consideration the germination rate of the seeds you plan to purchase. If, for example the germination rate is 100 percent and there are 100 seeds in a packet, you could potentially have 100 plants. Some seed houses offer smaller packets, which is helpful when planning. You may also share some with gardening friends!

Assign crops and flowers to beds. Put tall plants in the back of the border. Corn goes on the north or west side of the garden, shorter plants should not be shaded this way. Check out harvest dates for vegetables so that you can plan for succession planting. For example, squash can be grown where legumes have grown. Squash are heavy feeders and legumes fertilize the soil with their nitrogen fixing roots.

After you've enjoyed planning your 2006 garden, make sure you have everything else you need for the growing season. If you have tools that need repair, do so now. Make sure you have a good supply of pots, soil for starting seeds, labels, peat pots, and cell-packs. The seeds will start coming soon! Many seed houses offer bonus seeds if you send in your order early. Spring is around the corner, no matter what the groundhog says. Soon the winter planning will pay off!

Happy Gardening!

Read previous columns by Edna Schron