But if you are hard-core then get ready to garden. Many forks are in the greenhouse NOW starting seedlings to be transplanted once things warm up a bit. Others will want to direct seed as soon as the ground thaws. The following general comments may be the best place to start.
Your vegetable garden should be located in a spot that gets between six and 10 hours of full sunlight a day. Close proximity to the house and a water supply make tending to the garden much easier. I have seen many gardens that are neglected simply because they are "out of sight, out of mind." I have my garden right off my deck so I can spy weeds that need to be pulled and judge when to irrigate while sipping my favorite summer beverage.
Soil fertility and structure are very important to the success of your garden. A soil test will help determine lime and fertilizer needs, so take a soil sample now and bring it to the Extension Center at 306 Revere Road. Containers and mailers are available so you can send it in on your own if you wish or drop it by the office and I will deliver it to the lab on Friday afternoons.
The analysis you receive from The N.C. Department of Agriculture will make recommendations specific to your site. If you have poorly drained soil, consider building some raised beds or simply mounding the beds by adding organic matter such as compost to prepare the bed for planting. I'll write my next article about some details on raised bed construction.
Make a list of vegetables you or you family enjoy eating and select those you would like to grow. Pick varieties at a local garden center or stop by our office for current recommendations. Some vegetables grow better in the cool days of early spring and fall, such as broccoli, cabbage, garden peas and radishes. Others enjoy the long, warm days of summer such as beans, melons, corn, peppers and tomatoes. This allows two crops to be planted in the same space -- just during different seasons.
Why not try head lettuce, cabbage, or onions? They can be planted as soon as the soil can be worked!
A visual diagram of the space you have available will help you to organize the garden. Plan when and where you will plant seeds or transplants and write this information on your diagram. Include dimensions such as the area of the garden, the space between rows and the space between plants. The latter two can be found on the seed packet or transplant label. If possible, orient your rows to run east to west in order to maximize sun exposure. Be sure to plant tall-growing crops on the northern side of short-growing crops, to prevent shading smaller plants.
Now, when the time comes, all that's left is some muscle power, determination and a little TLC. Trust me, you'll be glad you planned ahead when you have a season full of fresh vegetables!
Good references can be found at:
- http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/ag_publications.html
- Home Vegetable Gardening, AG-006
- How to Grow Early Vegetables, AG-133
- Worms Can Recycle Your Garbage, AG-473-18
Call the master gardener here in Orange County if you need assistance, would like a copy of these publications mailed to you or for more information about gardening at (919) 245-2061. They are in the office at 306 Revere Road, Hillsborough, from 10 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. Call or stop in.
I will be teaching a series of gardening classes this spring covering lawn care, landscaping, vegetables and more. Contact us or Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation at 968-2784.
Carl A. Matyac is a N.C. Cooperative Extension agent of horticulture at the Orange County Center on Revere Road in Hillsborough. Call (919) 245-2062 or e-mail carl_matyac@ncsu.edu.
