Hiya Rural Sprout readers, I think Mother Nature has a sense of humor. She knows how bored I get this time of year and how I begin wistfully planning my garden, getting antsy to start growing things. So, of course, she sent mild spring-like temperatures and rain my
way. Of course, we’ll be back down in the 20s this coming week. But for a brief moment, there was a hint of spring, which will get here faster than I’m ready for. The boys and I spent the weekend packing up Christmas decorations and undecorating the tree. Now that that’s done, I can focus on planning my garden for
the year. This gardening season will be extra special. I get to help my daughter and son-in-law set up their first garden. I’ve encouraged them to start small, so they can decide if gardening is even something they enjoy and want to do. They both love to cook and already preserve vegetables and pickles and
make homemade jam, so they’re excited about the prospect of having their own garden.  It’s funny, when you do something for so long, it’s impossible to recall what it felt like back when you were first learning how to do it. As gardeners, we’ve all learned so much over the years. Even if you’ve only been at it for a year or two, the amount of information we learn in that time is impressive. And
there are always new things to learn and try. It’s nice to be able to return, vicariously through them, to that feeling of newness. How is your garden planning shaping up this year? What are you growing? Is there anything in particular you’re excited about? I’m looking forward to growing ox heart tomatoes for the first time this year. I’ve heard so many good things about their
flavor and sauce qualities. Â
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Starting seeds early seems like a good idea in theory, but in practice it can lead to some real headaches and stunted seedlings.
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Whether you're new to growing lilacs or are curious about that shrub that's been in your backyard for years, you'll want to read this.
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At the start of a new year, full of hope and aspirations of better times ahead, most gardeners are already dreaming of planting hundreds of tiny seeds in the soil. Which inevitably leads to visions
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Instead of throwing out your poinsettia, keep it growing and learn how to turn the leaves red every Christmas!
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You need to start these two vegetables in January to give them enough time to be ready to transplant in the spring.
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The growing season is still a couple of months away, but I can't wait. So why not start right now? There are a number of important gardening chores you need to do while it's still
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In late winter, beginning to chit seed potatoes can give you a good headstart on the gardening year. Learn what chitting is, and how to do it.
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When planning your garden, there's nothing like having a stack of seed catalogs to flip through. Here are 17 you should consider.
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So, you finally discovered the secret to getting your Christmas (or other holiday cactus) to bloom. Do you want to know another secret? You can get it to bloom again a few months later. In
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I think you could call it a tradition by now for me to introduce our readers to weird plants in the winter months. Once the gardening season is truly at a standstill, which usually happens
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These flowers and shrubs bloom in December, January and Februrary when the rest of the garden is still in slumber.
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Southern gardeners in Zones 8 to 11 often wonder what, exactly, is winter? We get no (or rare) freezing weather. A light snowfall can make news headlines. For the most part, wintertime chores just mean
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When you reside in climate with a winter solstice, any way you can extend the growing season is an absolute win. For many, starting seeds indoors will help to jump start gardening operations. By sowing
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If you want to get your garden started on the right foot this year, it helps to be prepared. Yet, even with the most detailed garden plan in hand and carefully tended seedlings at the
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Year after year, gardeners head out to their vegetable patch to start another growing season equipped with tools, seed packets and assorted seedlings. So often, though, they lack one of the most important things needed
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Did you miss a newsletter or want to read a few for inspiration? Find past newsletters here. Don't forget to check out our Facebook page for daily updates. That's all for this week, Rural Sprout Readers. |
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