Gearing Up to Garden
by Nimh Willow
Gearing up to Garden
After a long and cold Maine Winter, signs of hope “Spring up” all around us. As the buds form on the trees, crocuses bloom in violet and white, and the delightful songs of birds fill the air, we are assured that yes; Spring is really here. And with the return of sunny days, there’s one thing that seems to be on everyone’s minds: getting in the garden! What better way to reconnect with the Earth after a time of ‘hibernation’ and rest than to get your hands dirty and work in the soil. Gardeners have spent the last few months dreaming of the green delights ahead, with seed packets and catalogues scattered across the kitchen table- a forecast for what’s to come. Perhaps you are one of the many who dreamed of lovely gardens and bountiful produce, and have decided this is the year to start! Beginning your own garden is easier than you think. With a little planning you can go from a bare patch of grass or a porch deck to having a luscious green oasis.
The first thing to do if you want to start a garden is to assess your space. (Don’t have space? Many towns, especially Belfast, have community garden areas, which are often free or cheap to use!) The ideal spot for growing the most common foods and flowers would be an area that gets at least 8 hours of sunlight. Decks and patios that face South are a good choice, and spots in the center of a yard tend to get good sun exposure. The size of the space needed depends on how much you want to grow, but it is best to start small and add more later. Next, you’ll need to create the growing medium. Deck and patio gardens will need some large planters- at least 2 feet deep for most vegetables, or assorted pots for herbs, flowers, and alliums. These pots and planters should be filled with good quality soil, certified Organic is best! Don’t stress too much about getting the right blend- an all-purpose planter mix will do to start. A great local source is Coast of Maine, which sells bagged soils and amendments, available at the Belfast Community Co-op or wherever garden supplies are sold. If you’re planning to work into the ground you likely won’t need bagged soil, but it won’t hurt to add a little compost to loosen up and add nutrients to the soil. If you don’t have space to keep tools of your own, try renting from hardware stores like Aubuchon, or check online social groups for free tools and tool sharing.
Once you have your plot ready, it’s time to pick the plants! Seeds are a good way to get lots of plants for cheap and you’ll have the biggest selection, but they require a little more attention and skill to grow. The Belfast Community Co-op sells a variety of seeds from local vendors, such as Bhoomi Devi, Fedco, and the Troy Howard Middle School. (Did you know SNAP/EBT covers seeds and food producing seedlings?) Starting around Mother’s Day, most farm stores and greenhouses will have live plants available to purchase. Stick to Organic whenever possible for the healthiest produce and least environmental impact! Good plants for beginning gardeners include Peas, Carrots, Violets, Marigolds, Onions, Chives, Greens such as Chard and Kale, Basil, Borage, Calendula, Pole Beans, Radishes, and Squash- just to name a few. Seed packets and plant tags often will have growing recommendations and tips, but you can always ask the seller for more information. M.O.F.G.A.’s website also contains a treasure trove of growing information for our state.
Once you have your plot, plants, and some basic information and tools, you’re good to go! Gardening is a rewarding skill to learn, and has many benefits; such as providing healthy, fresh, locally grown food (and cutting down your food bill), creating habitats for wildlife, attracting pollinators, nourishing the soil, promoting beautiful spaces, and best of all- creating connection with the Earth. Don’t be afraid to mess up- gardening is a learning process and you should try to have fun with it. Invite your friends, family, and community to participate. Check out gardening books from the library. Talk to local farmers and get some tips. Once a gardener, always a gardener!
If you’d like to support your local co-op, consider becoming an owner!
During this busy time of the year, let us help with your shopping! Visit our website here to shop online. Don’t forget owners can also pre-order large quantities of regularly stocked items at a discounted price to prepare for all of the wonderful holiday baking and entertaining! Save time and extra trips to the store! Email info@belfast.coop for more info.
Everyone is welcome to shop at the Co-op; it is our mission and our pleasure to bring locally-sourced, reasonably priced, organic and natural products to all.
Owned by you. Food for all.
