Planting

It’s Planting Season!

Thumbing through seed catalogs and browsing the isles at the local nurseries are two of my favorite spring time activities. But I admit, with so many selections available it can be a bit overwhelming at times. Hopefully the following tips will help simplify the process.

Prior to filling my shopping carts, I like to jot down a quick meal plan. Nothing too complicated, just a list of the typical meals my family enjoys. From there, I figure out what I can grow that will contribute to those meals. Example: we make enchiladas on a weekly basis, so I grow a lot of tomatillos, onions, cilantro, garlic and peppers…all of the essentials needed to make delicious enchilada sauce. We also enjoy smoothies and salads, so spinach, lettuce and other greens are included. A couple more of our favorites are pesto and bruschetta, so I plant a lot of basil.

Tomatoes are a solid staple in any garden. The amazing selection that seed catalogs have to offer is one of the benefits of ordering seed, vs. buying transplants. If you’ve ever purchased tomato seeds you know that you’ll receive a lot more seed then the average homeowner needs or wants to plant. Saving the seed for the following year is one option, but it’s a lot more fun to get some friends together and swap seeds. Lastly, if you or your family doesn’t enjoy the vegetable, don’t plant it. My husband hates broccoli, I don’t care for beets and melons take up too much real estate in our small space, so those seeds and transplants don’t make the cut. Once a list is created it’s time to start shopping!

Happy Gardening!

Candace Schaible
Horticulture/Water-Wise Landscape Educator
USU Extension/Central Iron County Water Conservancy District
435-586-8132