Gardening is a magical and mystical experience to me. It’s something I’ve been doing for more than 30 years, and something I hope to be able to do, one way or another, for as long as possible.

When those tiny seeds turn into seedlings, I feel it is a magical experience. How can that happen? And when they continue to grow until they finally produce whatever vegetable or flower seed I planted, it’s almost mystical. I thank the earth.

When I garden, I don’t look like those models in magazines and seed catalogs. I’m usually covered in dirt, and because of that, I always wear my oldest clothes. My garden gloves become even dirtier than the rest of me, but oh, how I enjoy it. To be able to grow some of our own food is almost miraculous. We know where the food comes from, what has been used to feed it, and what has been used to fend off the multitude of tiny creatures that also like to dine on our vegetables, herbs and flowers. My pantry is generally lined with dozens and dozens of home-canned vegetables, prompting a real sense of not only satisfaction, but also security.

The flower bouquets gracing our kitchen table or the altar at church are a source of pride, knowing that they began as little seeds that grew into something gloriously beautiful.

During the next few months, I hope my enthusiasm and continuing pursuit of growing everything more successfully will help those of you who already grow something in the backyard — and perhaps prompt others to give it a try.

Gardening prep: Let’s get physical . . . and more

Despite the hard work needed to work the soil and keep it free of bugs and weeds, I believe it is worth every sore muscle that results.

One of the tricks I’ve learned over the years to prevent a very tired body and very sore muscles is to prepare for it. Starting just a few weeks before heavy planting begins, I use resistance bands a few minutes every day. The movements used for these exercises accurately reflects the movements a gardener needs when hoeing rows for planting. A brisk walk every day also builds up the leg muscles so all the bending and scooching won’t hurt so much.

And of course, once everything is planted, weeding and watering frequently keeps our bodies in shape. So gardening is truly a great exercise.

Today I’d like to talk a little about early prep for the garden as well, and about all those houseplants that are begging for new pots.

Repot, replant

Spring is the time when houseplants start their growth. Most have stayed dormant or grew little once the daylight hours became really short in late autumn. With more light, they are ready to explode.

Many houseplants, such as African violets, strawberry begonias and spider plants, have likely outgrown their pots. Several different plants may be cramped into one pot. Separate each plant, place each in its own pot, with fresh soil and some plant fertilizer. Water well.

Some plants may need root pruning that will give them a jump start on new growth.

If you heat with wood, chances are these plants are pretty much covered with dust. Remove the dust and give them a good dose of water mist. That also increases growth.

With all these new plants, find friends and relatives who would like them!

What will you grow?

Survey the varieties of seeds left over from last year’s garden. Think about what worked and what didn’t, and whether you want to give it another try on a particular vegetable or flower, or experiment with a different variety of seed.

I keep a running list of what I have, what grew really well, what didn’t, the varieties I want more of or less of. I also listen to my gardening friends and relatives for suggestions. In fact, keeping in touch with fellow gardeners is a great way to learn what works and what doesn’t.

After I know what I have, I make out my seed orders and send them off. I also look around at various gardening and farm stores to find out what varieties they have.

Journal for success

To keep all this information, as well as to keep track of the growing season’s temperatures, rainfall or lack of it, I keep a gardening journal. I list when something was planted, when the tiny seedling first emerged, whether hot or cold weather affected it, the kinds of insects or other creatures that have attacked it. All this information is incredibly informative when planning the next year’s garden.

Map it out

Planning where everything will be planted is also important. I use a large piece of graph paper with those little squares, and I mark off the area for each vegetable or flower, allowing for sufficient space between rows. Drawing up a plan also eliminates the danger of planting vegetables that don’t like each other next to each other.

For example, because potatoes and tomatoes are so closely related, they should be planted in sections of the garden far away from each other. If a blight or fungus hits, it will destroy both vegetables if they are too close.

Also, as I plant the garden, I write where I have planted what on the graph so I’ll know what is coming up. Stakes at the end of rows with the vegetable names written on them also help keep track of what is where.

The right tool . . .

Clean all garden tools with bleach and soap. If some kind of fungus attacked the tomatoes last year, that fungus lives very well through the winter. Think back to last year to decide which, if any, new tools you will need, then check out the area stores to find good quality ones that will last you many years.

I have a tool – and I’m not really sure what it is called officially — that was used by my father many decades ago when he and my mother planted the vegetable garden. I’ve taken it to a metalsmith a couple of times to reattach the metal end to the long ash handle. It’s the perfect tool as far as I’m concerned. The tool end is a flat-edged hoe on one side. The other side has two fairly thick prongs. It’s great for hoeing rows for planting, for removing weeds, then for digging.

Start seeds indoors

If your plans include starting some seeds at home, March is the month to plant them inside under grow lights. Many grow boxes, grow tents and elaborate devises can be purchased at gardening stores. If money is limited, build your own, as we have. Basically all that’s needed are a couple of long fluorescent lights hung close to the flats of seedlings. I use single-cell flats filled with a mixture of soil and seed-starter mix, for planting seeds. Keep the lights on for at least 12 hours each day. And keep the seeds well watered.

Good prospects for starting early — which is a must for tomatoes and eggplants — include any of the cruciferous varieties like cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and broccoli, pumpkins, gourds and winter squash.

When the seedlings are too large for the cells, transplant them into slightly larger containers, or take your chances and let them stay where they are.

Until next time, I welcome comments, suggestions and questions. I may be reached at [email protected]