Start Your 2010 Garden Soon With Seeds...

If you're thinking about growing your own vegetables or perennials this year, you should try planning your garden by starting your own seeds.  It's not as hard as you think.  I tried my luck with some vegetables last year and surprisingly had tremendous luck.  The hardest part is keeping critters from eating them, and keeping them bug free and fungus free throughout the season!! 

Now that Valentine's Day is over, I will be concentrating on starting my seeds....follow along with me as we go step by step through the process and learn together what works, and what doesn't. 

The first thing you need to do is choose which plants or veggies you want to grow.  Be sure to choose plants that are compatible to your growing zones.   You must read the instructions on the packages as to when you should start the seeds because all germination times vary according to the plant.  Some seeds you can sow directly into the garden...others you start weeks before the frost-free date in your area.  Just read the entire package!

How do you find the Frost-Free Date (the last date for which you can expect to receive frost)  for your area?   Check the Farmer's Almanac Website .   In Cincinnati, our Frost-Free Date is April 13th.  However, in reality, I was always taught that you don't ever plant before Mother's Day!   Well, you can, but be prepared to cover tender plants or annuals with sheets (not plastic)  if the temperature drops below the 38 degree mark, and it probably will! 

I purchased a lot of unusual herbs last year that I am excited to try.  Valerian root and Ginseng are two I'm anxious to plant...along with cumin, angelica, dill, basil, and lots of other goodies.    So get out your garden gloves and get ready to get your hands in the dirt! 

My Baptisia (False Indigo)