Now that spring is just around the corner, gardeners are
eager to start planting.
However, there are several important steps to take now to make
this year’s garden the best
ever.

First, make a garden plan that includes a list of vegetables
and varieties you want,
and how much of each the family needs.

If you have limited space, replace vegetables your family may
not eat. Remember,
lettuce will produce a lot more food than cabbage from the same
space.

Lay out the garden on paper. This is important, because you
need to rotate crops from
one place to another to reduce disease and insect pressure.
Simply stated, don’t plant
tomatoes in the same place year after year.

Once you know what you want to plant, and how much, order
seeds or buy them from a
reputable local dealer. Buy the best seeds. STAY AWAY FROM CHEAP
SEEDS — they’re never a
bargain. Cheap seeds may not be adapted to your area and often
will have low germination
rates.

If you’re going to buy transplants, look them over carefully.
If you see any sign of
insects (look under the leaves) or disease, put them back on the
shelf and ask when the
next shipment is coming in. Or go somewhere else to buy.

Don’t take insect and disease problems home and put them into
your garden. Leave all
infected, weak or damaged plants at the store.

See if your local supplier can get that new tomato and
pepper. If he can’t, look into
growing your own. They’re easy to grow, and you know exactly
what you’re getting. And you
can show off those white, yellow or Italian paste tomatoes that
weren’t in the store. Be
adventuresome!

Learn about gardening by visiting the county Extension
office. Most areas have
well-informed green-thumb gardeners who will share their
knowledge with novices.

The Extension office has these publications, among others.

Gardening, Bulletin 577.

Home Vegetable Gardening, Leaflet 171.

Vegetable Gardening Calendar, Leaflet 174.

Home Garden Transplants, Leaflet 128.

Next, take a soil sample to your county agent. This is
probably the most important
thing you do as a gardener. Soil-test results tell how much
residual fertilizers are in
your soil and how much to add to get good plant growth.

A soil test also tells the pH of your soil, which is the
basis for liming
recommendations.

If you’re an organic gardener, the Extension office can give
you a formula to convert
fertilizer recommendations to organic ones.

Good soil is the key. Remember, all plants grow better in
soil that allows good root
development, drainage and nutrient uptake.

If you’re following regular gardening practices, turn the
soil and bury the top litter
on the bottom of the trench. Also, incorporate organic matter —
compost, peat moss or
similar materials — into your soil now.

Proper plant growth depends on site selection, too. If you
can, put the garden in full
sun, near the house and near a water supply. Try to avoid areas
infested with nut grass
and other troublesome weeds.

Sun. Most vegetables need full sunlight (eight hours or
more). Plant leaf crops, such
as broccoli, collards, and spinach, in partial shade (four to
six hours of sun).

Near the house. Being close to your garden will help you
notice insect, disease, and
weed problems and take steps to control them before they can
cause serious damage.

Water supply. You’ll need water to grow a garden anywhere in
Georgia. Mulches and
organic matter will greatly improve the soil’s moisture-holding
capacity and reduce
evaporation loss.

Paying attention to these things now will help ensure your
gardening success all year.