Lanark Master Gardeners – Planning for Spring

Helen Halpenny | Jan 25, 2017

Although gardening season seems to be far into the future, it is not too early to make plans for ‘the best garden ever” Seed catalogues have arrived, with photos of sumptuous vegetables, gorgeous blooms and delicious fruit. Seed catalogues are a wealth of information. Browsing through these can take hours. You may have your favourite varieties that you have grown for years or you may be new to choosing seeds. Stick with kinds of veg that you know your family will eat. Most catalogues will recommend ‘tried and true’ varieties and they will be a safe bet. “Award of merit’ varieties are also reliable. Catalogues offer you dozens of options as to size, shape and colour. For many years, I have also added at least one new item to my purchases- something that I have never tasted before or that is new on the market. These have included artichokes, cucamelons, sweet potatoes, blue pumpkins, walking stick cabbages, etc. Some experiments have been great and others complete flops but it was fun to try.

The descriptions of plants given are reliable and instructions on the packets should be followed exactly. If your variety of squash will run to cover 20-30 feet then your little veg patch will not be adequate, so instead grow a ‘bush’ type. If the package says –‘do not cover seed’ then you know that those seeds need light to germinate. If you have trouble with late blight in tomatoes, then change the location in the garden and grow a variety that is resistant.

Many seeds stay viable for more than one year, so that half package of carrot seed left from last year should be okay if it was stored in a cool, dark, dry place. Parsnip seed, however, must be fresh.

While we wait for spring, we can try growing some seedling sprouts, also known as microgreens, in soil indoors. To grow some microgreens, all you need is a plastic container that will hold an inch or two of soil, and a sunny window sill. A shallow plastic takeout container or salad container with moist potting soil or soilless mix works well. Soak seeds overnight. Alfalfa, radish, pea, broccoli, cress, onion, basil, are just a few that will sprout and grow into tasty micro greens. Place the soaked seed thickly on to the soil surface. Leave the seeds exposed and uncovered. Grow seeds under lights or on a window sill. Keep the soil moist. But not wet. Cut seedlings when about 4 inches tall. You do not eat the seeds or roots. As part of good hygiene, start with fresh soil every time. These little morsels are make delicious crunchy toppings for salads or sandwiches.