GARDENING SEASON APPROACHING

With Kevin Starr

 Even though it was 10 degrees when I came to work this morning, the gardener in me is already looking forward to the end of winter. There are some sure signs that the gardening season is drawing near. The first is that the days are getting progressively longer.

Next, there are plenty of seed and plant catalogs to stoke my dreams of the perfect garden. Maybe putting some of those catalogs under my pillow at night would help.

I was fortunate to get a gift certificate for a plant catalog, so I can enjoy selecting something from there. That gift certificate is evidence that providing very clear hints to your family can pay big dividends.

The 4-H plant sale is underway with a good variety to choose from. I have my eye on a couple of ‘Dunstan’ chestnuts and a ‘Sunbelt’ grape. If you need an order form, please call our 4-H secretary at 704-736-8458.

Another sign of the approaching growing season is the number of programs and meetings scheduled for our local farmers. By the middle of March, I will have been involved in a commercial muscadine program, our local vegetable growers school,

our annual Foothills Fresh meeting, and planning sessions for both the Lincolnton and Denver farmers markets. I will also be attending a class on season extension for vegetable production and the meeting of the N.C. Commercial Blackberry and Raspberry Growers Association. Needless to say, this helps get me excited about the coming growing season.

The final reason to start thinking about the gardening season is that it really begins next month. February is the month to start the early vegetable garden. Vegetables to plant in February include garden peas, spinach, and onions (plants or sets). Some cool-season vegetables need to wait until March. This would include broccoli and beets.

If you would like a planting calendar for vegetables or have other questions, please call Cooperative Extension at (704) 736-8452.