5 Things You Can Do to Get Your Garden Growing

Written by KT @ One Organic Mama, Contributing Writer 
It’s been a LONG winter here in Central MA.  We had over 100 inches of snow, and the remnants of it still remain in my yard and covering my garden.  It has been 50 degrees the past few days, yet still we have about 1 foot of lingering snow/ice/sand/yuck.  The kids think it’s summer, they are running around with water guns, riding their bikes in the driveway, and splashing in the mud.  I am focusing on getting the garden going – despite the fact that I cannot plant anything outside just yet.

Hopefully you’re somewhere, anywhere just south of here 🙂 and you can get outside and make this happen!  

Here are 5 EASY tips to get your garden growing this spring…

So you can enjoy veggies well into the fall. 🙂

1. Map out your garden and turn the soil over

Clearly, in my house, this is a job for all the boys who outnumber me 🙂 The soil needs to be ready to accept all your seeds or small plants – so head out there and start raking with a metal rake.  If you compost, now is the time to put that rich, nutrient filled, dirt into the mix.  If you don’t – mix in a little organic fertilizer.  Planning where to put your garden is important.  Think of where we buy all our veggies from… FL, CA, South America… you need a spot that is FULL OF SUN for pretty much the whole day.  You don’t need a big spot – but it needs to have BIG sun.  You need a spot that you can get water to… don’t pick a place you can’t reach a hose/sprinkler.  You need a spot that you are going to protect from animals… don’t pick your dog’s favorite play area! 

2. Start your seeds

Sometimes it’s warm enough outside to just put your seeds right into the ground… this year that is not the case for me.  We start our seeds in seed trays, cover them with plastic lids, and put them on our (old, steam) heaters around the house right by the windows.  Make sure to label your rows – because when things start sprouting you don’t want to forget what is in there! If you’re a first timer – just start with a few things… tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, and any kind of squash are all pretty easily grown from seed.  

When your cucumbers and tomatoes start to sprout, use toothpicks or skewers to keep the plants standing and not drooping all over the tray.  Plant the squash around the outside of the trays so that it can crawl down the sides.  

3. Surround your space with plants pests hate

Do a little research about what pests are common to your area.  Then find flowers those pests don’t love.  Surround your garden with those flowers.  Marigolds and petunias are common ones – but look into your climate range and see what might work for you.  This has been instrumental in our ability to garden naturally.  It also makes your garden look pretty awesome!!! 

Once you have your flowers in place, and it is nice and warm out, start transplanting your little seedlings from the heater into the garden.  Put tall things in the back and shorter things in the front.  Make sure to space things far enough apart that you can get to each plant – even when they get HUGE! 

4.  Mix up some natural pest control

Mix up some Neem Oil Spray!  This works for almost everything (in my area).  Neem oil smells like old potatoes and onions 🙂 If you mix up a teaspoon or two with some warm water and a drop of non-toxic soap – you are ready to attack any little buggies that want to stop you from having fresh veggies this summer!  Get the recipe here. 

5.  All you need is love… and sun and water

After your garden is planted visit it.  Sit by it.  Love it.  Head outside a few times a day to check things.  Is the soil too dry?  have critters crossed your flower barrier?  are there bugs that need to be dealt with?  Most garden problems are easily googled and dealt with – but the sooner the better.  You don’t want a full garden aphid infestation – but if caught early – it is no big deal – I promise!! 

How do you get your garden ready?  What are you growing this year?