Everything your garden will need this spring

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Looking to start a garden, but don’t know where to begin? Here’s the information you need to set you on the right foot this season.

One of the most exciting tasks of spring is perusing seed catalogs and plant sales – but it can be overwhelming if you don’t know what will thrive in your space or what you’re looking for. Before taking out your wallet, ask yourself the questions below and get familiar with your grow site – especially if you’re new to gardening.

How much sun/shade does my space get throughout the year?

What’s the hardiness zone in my area? The hardiness zone is the average minimum temperature in your area; it dictates what plants can thrive where you’re located.

What are the first and last frost dates for my area?

Am I looking to grow food, flowers or plants for landscaping?

How much time can I realistically allot to tending my garden? An hour a day or an hour a week, it’s OK as long as you set realistic expectations and plant accordingly.

What are the measurements of my garden space?

Who else frequents this area? Consider wildlife, pets, neighbors, children, etc.

Is my water source simple or challenging to access? Avoid discouragement down the line from tangled hoses or too-far-away watering spouts by setting a routine and making adjustments at the start.

Taking into consideration your goals and limitations, as well as the parameters of your grow space, supports making smart decisions that can create a fulfilling gardening experience.

Now comes the fun part: deciding what to grow! There are tons of seeds, from many companies, to choose from, as well as many plant sales, usually in May. If you’re in the Providence area, you can browse native and common garden seedlings and seeds at the Alliance’s Dwares Jewish Community Center Plant Sale on May 7.

When making your selections, keep in mind that different plants have different needs and may be light, moderate or heavy feeders. Collect a soil sample to send to your local university’s lab or extension program for a nutrient and pH analysis or purchase a home soil test. Armed with information from the test, you can add whatever improvements the soil test suggests.

The final step in the planning stage is creating a map for where your plants will actually be situated. Plants develop symbiotic relationships that may nurture or inhibit the growth of one another. Water and nutrient uptake, insect management, and sun and shade availability can be affected when plants are grown close together. Companion planting, square foot gardening, and landscaping principles may provide guidance. Though this final step applies to in-ground or raised-bed gardens more than container gardening, the information can still be useful for any gardener.

Here are some tasks to be done in March and April to get you ready for garden season:

Clean up any debris from the previous year and compost it if it hasn’t been treated with chemicals.

Turn your compost pile, if you have one.

Organize, repair, clean and sharpen your tools. Remove the risk of spreading disease or infection to this year’s garden by disinfecting your tools, containers and watering cans.

The lengthening days of spring will stimulate any houseplants you have. Repot them with fresh soil.

Prune any perennials, trees and shrubs while they’re still dormant. Push aside mulch on asparagus and strawberries to aid new growth.

Lastly, a few principles to note. Avoid stepping on or working your soil while it’s wet. This can create compaction, which can lead to issues like poor soil structure, restricted root growth, and lack of oxygen and water space for root uptake.

A good rule of thumb for watering: a long session once a week is more efficient than several shallow waterings. It allows the water to penetrate deeper into the soil, encouraging roots to grow downwards, and creates stronger plants. Watering in the morning or when sunlight is less harsh is also appreciated by your plants.

I hope to see you in the garden – happy spring!

KENDRA DOE-MODE (kdoe@jewishallianceri.org) has been farming chemical-free herbs, flowers and vegetables for four years. She graduated from the Southside Community Land Trust Registered Apprenticeship Program and the URI Master Gardener Core Training program in 2022. During the summer, you can find her in the Dwares JCC garden sharing research-based garden techniques with J-Camp youth, at the Pawtuxet Village Farmers Market, or making floral bouquets at Blue Sky’s Farm in Cranston. During the winter, you can find her in the Membership Department at the Fitness Desk at the JCC.