Oh, the excitement we feel when planning this yearâs garden! The sunny days and warmer temperatures that happen this time of year let us know spring is coming.
Itâs still a little early for digging and planting, but itâs the perfect time to do some early garden projects to get in the mood for the day we can do some serious gardening.
It’s time for grape pruning, and donât waste those vines youâre cutting off. If you have never made a grape vine wreath, the first circle you make can be a little difficult, but stay with it for great results. These wreaths are beautiful just the way they are or you can add adornment. Check out âMaking a Grapevine Wreath- Juniper Hillâ (yhne.ws/grapevinewreath) on YouTube for instructions.
Another favorite material for vine wreaths is Virginia Creeper. This is an invasive vine and if you have it growing on your back fence, you know what weâre talking about. Why not put it to good use?
You can also repurpose many of your shrub and tree prunings. Sort them to size for creating a trellis, some wattle fences or garden stakes. Check out www.youtube.com/@SproutingPathsHomestead for DIY wattle fence instructions.
Hereâs another idea thatâs creative, saves money, helps with boredom and keeps the kids busy. Create seed tapes from that stash of seeds youâve had in the back of the refrigerator for way too long. This fun project uses other supplies you likely already have on hand. No need for a trip to the craft or hardware store.
Youâll need paper towels, bathroom tissue or newspaper, flour, water, ink pen, ruler and a toothpick. An empty paper towel or tissue tube is helpful for storing your finished seed tape.
Cut strips of your chosen paper about 1 1/2 to 2 inches wide and lay them out on your work surface. Using the guide for planting on the back of the seed packet, mark a dot for each distance apart the seed should be planted. Mix the glue (1 tablespoon water to 2 tablespoons flour) in a small bowl. Dip your toothpick into the glue and put a tiny amount on the dots and place a seed on each dot. Fold the paper together while the glue is still a little wet to seal your seeds into the paper. Let this dry for several hours and then using a cardboard tube, roll your finished tape and store in a dry place until itâs the right time to plant.
When that time comes, create a row in your soil and roll the seed tape out. Cover it with soil according to the directions on the seed packet.
Master Gardeners try to be good stewards of the earth and recycle and repurpose materials headed for the landfill. Many of us are preparing ID tags from empty gallon milk and juice jugs for the seedlings we are growing. With a knife and scissors, you can cut the exact shape and size you need.
For use in the Master Gardener greenhouse, we cut discarded metal and plastic blinds into 6-inch lengths and use a permanent ink pen to write plant ID information on them. We even save those that are written on for the following year, crossing off the old information and using the other side.
Itâs time to begin that garden journal you were always meaning to start. This can be done in a beautiful bound book, a dollar store notebook or on your phone or computer. How many times can we remember planting dates, how much we loved something we grew, or something we would never plant again?
It is hard to describe the value of taking photos of your garden for reference. If kids are helping you in the garden, make sure they are included in photos. Kids grow too, and what a good way to document that.
Lastly, we will all be planning what we can share with others this growing season and hope you will join us. Homegrown and homemade are gifts allow the receiver to know you were thinking of them. Let’s include more peppers for more pepper jelly, more tomatoes and onions to preserve that favorite salsa, and more pumpkins for the neighbor kids to carve.
Join us as we prowl thrift stores and yard sales for those perfect vases to hold beautiful bouquets. Even a small bud vase containing a single stem lets someone know you were thinking of them.
Make this the year you establish an herb garden. Dried herbs are always a welcomed gift.
During the growing season donât forget to share some of your bounty. A few fresh veggies and some sprigs of herbs tucked into a basket can be so welcome, especially to those who have little space, tight budgets or physical conditions that prohibit them from gardening.
Let’s get started.
⢠For any gardening questions, contact the Master Gardener Clinic at 509-574-1604 or email [email protected].
