It only feels like spring

February 7, 2012

The longer days and mild weather we’ve had may have you thinking about planting your garden already. While it’s still quite early (we’re still waiting for winter to begin), why not plan for it and dream about those tender shoots and tasty products?

You may want to try the square foot gardening movement. Or joining a garden club if enhancing your landscaping with blossoms is your objective.

If you’re cursed with difficult soil to grow in, why not get it tested now and make plans for introducing organic matter before planting? Here is a resource for finding testing services that will make recommendations.

Experts will help you coax usable apples from that old tree in the yard too. The UMass Garden Clippings newsletter is aimed at helping home gardeners sort through the pests to get to the produce. It’s a good time to sign up as the first issue is out in March.

This site gives you month-by-month instructions on preparing and planting your garden. http://www.gardeninginnewengland.com/april.asp Starting in April, it says, plan to turn over your garden and prepare it for planting while starting early seeds inside. And don’t forget to expose the seedlings to some cool air when possible to “harden” them for planting outdoors.

For those of us interested in trying something new, how about growing cranberries? They’re apparently good in well-drained soils that are amenable to pine trees, which describes so much of the area.

Instructions for growing cranberries at home are here. But don’t expect instant results – or even fruit for your Thanksgiving table this year. New plants take two to three years to produce, but will give you a pound of fruit for every square foot of plants.