Can’t you just smell spring in the air? It’s not long now!

As I’m contemplating the coming season, the 2016 flower, veggie, and bulb catalogs have had my head spinning again this year! So many choices, and the offerings are ever expanding. Those beautiful images make the garden possibilities come alive in my mind’s eye. I can just imagine sniffing and snipping those flower lovelies, harvesting nutritious veggies, and the many hours of enjoyment to come in the garden.

As I dream of my hands in the dirt I can easily get ahead of myself. There is a vague notion in the back of my mind that it’s time to come to my senses. A dose of reality might be in order. What do I mean?

Before hitting that send button on your garden order, consider these parameters for taming over zealous gardening ambitions and keeping maintenance practical:

1. How much space do you have? Have you planned the garden layout so the quantities of seeds and plants are suited for the area?
2. What are the conditions of the garden- sun vs. shade, soil preparation needed, water availability?
3. How much time can you devote to my garden? Do I have helpers?
4. Have you considered the gardening calendar. Choose seeds that thrive in the temperatures for cool season or warm season veggies?
5. Are the seeds from non-GMO sources. Is that important to you?

Following sage garden advice can guide your decisions about what, where, and how to plant the tiny seeds. There is a lot to consider. Then again, the best teacher is experience. So do as much reading, drooling over photos, and planning as you like. But most importantly, get out there and plant that garden!

It’s not too late to start some seeds indoors. See next post on cool and warm season veggies.

I just couldn’t help including this 2015 catalog cover cause I just love that “cupcake” summer squash.

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My own ode to spring! Just down the road, but a world away!