Garden-cationing

It is definitely that time of year! I got my pepper and eggplant seeds started two weeks ago (probably late, but poorly timed illnesses threw off my schedule), and I'll get the tomatoes started this weekend. They should be big enough just in time for planting at the end of May, as my gardening zone (5B) safely dictates. I am on vacation this week, and, if this gorgeous weather holds, I am going to get my garden set up and ready to go. I will even be able to plant some hardy seeds - lettuce, spinach, peas, etc.

I have seed potatoes ready to go, too. I'm going to try the "trash can" method of growing potatoes this year. You put drainage holes in a tall container, add growing mix and your potatoes, and keep covering the plants with the mix as they grow, watering and fertilizing as necessary of course. (Google for more info). I'll keep you posted! Last year I grew some fine potatoes in my compost pile, so I'm hoping these potatoes will grow well in composted manure (with some acid components, yet undecided upon, added to prevent scab).

You have probably seen or heard ads from the big box stores advertising their plants. I've grown plenty of big box veggies and flowers in my day, and I'm sure that they are quality plants, and will grow fine. However, hearing the ads in my area makes me worry. It is way too early to plant tomatoes and other tender plants in my zone, and we're still getting frost at night, which will kill tender plants. The money they claim you'll save on produce goes right out the window if your little plant dies!

If you are a new gardener, I recommend that you read up on your growing zone - Google again is a great tool, just type in "growing zone" and you'll come up with plenty of sites where you can enter your zip code and find out what that is if you don't know. Gardenweb.com has tons of great ideas for new gardeners, and excellent forums where you can chat with lots of folks at various expericence levels. Of course you can always give us a call at 877-JOHNNYS and speak to one of our friendly customer service representatives, who are always happy to help!

I hope you all have a great week. I'll enjoy my garden-cation (and throw a little fishing-cation in, to boot!)

Daria, the webmaster