Even though it has been a relatively mild winter, I am tired of the cold. Really, really tired. I can’t wait for Spring! This year, the first day of Spring is March 20th. I guess that means I still have 45 days to go but, I can dream of that first warm Spring day and start planning my vegetable garden.
The seed companies really have their marketing down to a science. Just when you think you can’t stand the cold a minute longer, a seed catalog arrives in the mail. As I thumb through each and every page of each and every catalog, my imagination goes wild. We could grow that! That and that! Oooh, and that, too! Suddenly, I don’t feel so cold.
Several of my favorite catalogs are from The Seed Savers Exchange, The Cook’s Garden and The Territorial Seed Company. The catalogs are beautiful, with great descriptions of each variety, gorgeous photos and artwork and lots of really useful tips and advice. Their web sites are also very nice and that is how I always order. I have been extremely happy with the products I have ordered from these companies.
Another strategy I use to keep my mind off the cold and on Spring, is to actually start planning out my garden. I use Microsoft Excel or graph paper and start by drawing in my raised beds. I currently have six 4’ x 12’ raised beds, but I am planning on adding three more this Spring. I also have half-wine barrels with my herbs planted in them and I include them in the drawing. My small orchard of fruit trees and grape vines are also “penciled” in.
I save these garden plans from year to year because it helps me to remember where things were planted the previous year, so that I can rotate my plantings. I also put notes on it about the success, or failure, of each variety so that I don’t have to try to remember it all. I work on these garden plans until the very day I start planting. It really keeps my mind off the cold and looking forward to the Spring. And believe me, I am ready!
