In a previous article I suggested planting a garden. So if you are taking that suggestion seriously did you know it is now time to plan for your garden? Yes now. You need to think about what you want to plant. Plan your area. Do you have a yard? Is your space unlimited? Or perhaps do you need to find out about joining a community garden? Do you have a friend with a yard that you can share? If you do then you need to commit to weed pulling and sharing in the care of the garden.
What will you plant? Make a list of what kind of vegetables you and your family like and try something new. The early season plants are always planted first and the things that can't be planted in early spring can be started in the house. You can start your tomatoes and peppers in small grow pots or even in yogurt containers or just about anything that will hold some soil and seed.
When should you plant? In Buena Vista the saying up there is when the snow is off Buffalo Peaks then it is time to plant your garden. In Leadville, they say that summer is on the fourth of July. But on the front range most people plant in April or May. Things that will be growing under the ground like your root vegetables are fine if the weather should turn after you have planted. But things like tomatoes and peppers should only be put out after the danger of frost has passed.
Do you need to prepare the soil? If you are a first time gardener then you might want to get someone to rototill the area for you. Unless you don't mind using a shovel. You can get some good manure for free from people with horses. It can be real good manure to turn in to your soil if it is not hot (in other words not new). If it is too fresh it can burn your plants.
Make sure you only plant as deep as the instructions on the back on the vegetable packet say. I had a dear friend who wanted to plant a garden at my house since she knew I always grew one every year. I was happy to share my area with her but I didn't pay attention to how she planted her seed. When my carrots popped out of the ground and hers didn't I asked her how deep she planted her seed. She said, "I just stuck my finger in like this and dropped the seeds in". I realized that her finger made a hole about and inch and half deep. Carrots only need to be planted about a quarter of an inch to a half an inch deep or so or they won't be able to reach to top of the soil and will then not germinate. So pay attention and read the directions, the back of the package will also tell you when to plant the specific vegetable.
One summer my daughter had a little garden planted out back of her house in a place next to the alley. The soil was gravely and you wouldn't think anything would grown there. But she took us out back to see her garden, and wow, she had beautiful plants and was harvesting some produce that you wouldn't think would grow in that spot. It is truly amazing how much you can reap with a little effort.
A huge variety is available to you so plan ahead now and you will reap a bountiful harvest.
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