Our Connections to Gardening (and gardeners)

 Wow! What a year! People are learning that plants can provide so much for us during a pandemic. When groceries and essentials became tough to get, gardeners grew more gardens! Edibles like fruit trees, berries, vegetables, herbs, and so many other food plants were sought after by old and new gardeners alike. The plant connection continued through so many parts of our lives to help us find comfort in our own homes, gardens, and selves. 

A friend's raised vegetable garden

I spoke with my niece Becca recently. She has recently moved with her boyfriend Raf and dog, Nala, to a new place. Her job has been downsized, so she is looking for a new one. Away from her friends and family, life has changed. I asked her if having plants helped her out. She started collecting succulents awhile ago.

Her collection takes up the better part of a room in her new home. She answered yes. She said that "while the world is on fire", these little plants make her focus on a routine. They get checked daily, though Becca waters sparingly. When new leaves appear, she is happy. Becca said that while she has been stuck indoors, unable to go on all the adventures she once did with friends, the plants bring life inside. The first time she went to re-pot her plants was intimidating, but she powered through it. She encourages her sister and friends to try to grow something just for the fun of it.  Becca and I have spoken about the lessons learned when a plant doesn't thrive. It is instantly compostable, causing no harm to the environment. It happens. We move on and try again. 

Last summer, I got a chance to walk through Ladew Gardens a few times, either alone or with a friend.  Emily Emerick, Ladew's Executive Director, told me that the gardens had more first-time visitors there than ever before. The walk through the gardens was both calming and inspirational. I took note of many of the plant combinations in pots and in the garden and copied parts of them for my garden. On a side note, I took my physical therapist, Megan Rich, a true lover of plants with me. 

Megan framed in a hemlock doorway

She loved the gardens and showed me some better ways to navigate the sometimes challenging landscape physically. Now I can claim that Ladew, and gardens in general, help me both physically and mentally. 

Truth be told, I already knew that. Having worked around plants for a lifetime, the air I breathe is fresher, the humidity in the greenhouse is invigorating (except for in the heat of summer), and being outside in the sunshine is wonderful! But it's the people who make my job so fulfilling. When Anne Lynn stops in with a bouquet of dahlias, Nolen sends photos of his prized hardy hibiscus,

One of many of Nolen's prized hibiscus

Eric and his family put in a beautiful new pond; Don shares the hot pepper plants that he grows from seed; it's understood that gardening connects us. My neighbor, Chuck, who helps me out all the time, is putting in raised beds this year. I foresee a collaborative garden between neighbors. Friends and families working together in the garden this year have been a remarkable experience that working from home has enabled us. The Weinberg Village Community Garden in Owings Mills has raised bed gardens that residents are able to plant. Volunteers, including students from The Jemicy School, help on planting days and garden clean-up days.

The Weinberg Village Community Gardens

We are lucky to live in a region where so many plants grow with ease. Our communities come together to help each other, even providing extra garden harvests to food banks. Gardening brings us together, helps us enjoy nature and the outdoors, and offers too many other benefits to mention. 

Weinberg Village Volunteers

Are we ready to keep this momentum going? Everyone I've talked to has answered a resounding yes!

Jen Plans Her Vegetable Garden

 

Jen's country property is ready for a garden expansion

I opened the curtains to see the snowfall and decided that it was the perfect time to plan my garden. Well, to finish planning it. I’ve planned for the spring; now it’s time to get the summer planned. And since my snow day has given me loads of extra time, I can get those spring vegetable seeds started! YAY!

Read the seed labels. Marshmallow needs cold stratification before planting; that means time in the refrigerator before planting.

Every time I sit down to plan out the garden, I'm nervous. Can I grow everything that I want to grow? Do I have space? Can I find the seeds? Every. Single. Time. Having a plan for the spring already in place doesn't stop me from being worried about planning my summer vegetables today. 

Here are 3 steps to planning the garden. 

Step #1: Ask yourself, what do you want to grow?

It was quite easy for me this year. I had a problem starting seeds last year and ended up buying the plants. I still have all the seeds though, and they are still good. I already know what I want to grow. I also know that last year I didn’t grow enough San Marzano tomatoes (I have watery salsa to be eaten this winter…YUCK!).

Jen's snowy day project

Armed with my list of vegetables to grow, I drew out my garden. Ask yourself, what do you enjoy eating? For example, I like eggplant, but not enough that I want to grow it. I can get it at the farmer’s market and still have it fresh if I get a hankering for it. If you are going to eat it or preserve it, then you should grow it!

Plant your friend's favorites

Step #2: Plan where it will go

This part is easy/difficult. That makes no sense, I know – but, hear me out. I grow my vegetables and herbs in-ground, in raised beds, and in containers. Most of my herbs, because many are perennial, are in the ground. That leaves me with raised beds and containers for my vegetables. That’s the easy part. I have space; I know where it is and how much I have. The difficult part for me is how to get ALL of what I want to grow in that space. Even if you can’t grow in-ground, there are many options for growing in containers that make gardening more accessible than ever.

Jen makes use of many materials to create her garden plots

Beautiful surroundings make this garden even more enjoyable!

Plenty of space between plants

Pots come in a variety of colors, sizes, and materials

Earthboxes are a favorite 

Smart Pots are easily stored and are a lightweight option for garden pots and beds

If you look at my garden plan you can see that I have more than one plant per bed. This is where your garden center is your best friend. Another example: from working at Valley View, I have learned that tomatoes need space around them (it helps to cut back on diseases with better airflow and means they are not fighting for nutrients and water). If you have questions, call and ask us. I personally love to talk about growing veggies and herbs! So, in my 4’x3’ raised bed I’ll plant 3 tomatoes maximum, but I’ll throw extra basil and dill plants in the bed too. Just because I can!

Upright supports allow for better air movement and easier harvest

Raised bed gardens look ready to harvest

Salad for dinner tonight!

A quick google search will give you more information about plants that can be grown together. Also, use the University of Maryland Extension's Grow It, Eat It page for recommendations. My personal favorite is to  type into google,  “can I plant (blank) with (blank)?” I was checking if it would be okay to plant my peppers with beans. I got a few mixed messages but decided that I would try it. A lot of gardening and companion planting is all about experimentation. Most of the sites talked about green beans, so I decided I would plant my black beans there and plant my green beans with squash and zucchini which I know do well together. Hopefully, it turns into a winning solution.

Step #3: Prepare

You have the list of what you want to plant, and you know where it is going to go The next step is to prepare for the planting. Do you have enough fertilizer? Is your soil at the proper pH for your tomatoes to thrive? What problems did you have last year that could be fixed this year?

Invest in good, ergonomic garden tools

Plenty of organic and synthetic fertilizer options

I’m planning on putting my tomatoes in at the end of May. Knowing when you are going to plant means that you’ll know when to start your seeds, or when to buy the transplants. Remember to talk to your garden center employees; they can answer your questions.

This year I will have 6 more rows of peas than I did last year and 4 more rows of beans. I don’t have enough supports for all of them, so I will be looking for stakes, netting, and fencing to add to my garden structures. Knowing what you are planting, when you are planting them, and how to head off any problems is the recipe for success.

Another gardener's bean crop

We are here for you at the garden center to help inspire and guide you through planning and planting your garden. Stop in for helpful handouts and informational signage to get started. 

Informational signs help with plant selection

Over 70 varieties of tomatoes!

A free Vegetable Planting Guide provides tips, planting dates, and more

The snow will be gone soon.