Seedlings, Showers, Sunshine and Springtime
By Ashley Kazijian
The season for new life is right around the corner and it’s finally time to start preparations. Spring is the season for those with a green thumb- with the warming temperatures, the sunny skies, and the frequent rain showers- it’s the most wonderful time of the year for gardening. Regardless of your experience as a “plant parent” and the type (vegetable, flower, herb, raised, indoor, etc.) of gardening you practice, there are a few key steps all gardeners can take early on in Spring to ensure your gardens flourish throughout the season:
• Prepare soils
• Prune and deadhead
• Plant bulbs, fruit trees, shrubs, or other deciduous plants
• Plant any annuals that don’t mind cooler temperatures
• Look for signs of pests
• Start vegetables from seed
• Divide perennials
• Clear out weeds, mulch, and any debris from Winter
Other considerations for garden preparation early on- plan to try something new. If you’re up for adding in a new challenge or looking to shift gears completely, explore local nurseries for recommendations and assistance on getting your garden exactly how you want it. Some of our local nurseries include but are not limited to: Bellingham Nursery & Garden Center, New England Bonsai Gardens, Hillside Nurseries, Briggs Nursery, Lamberts Garden Center.
In addition, Blackstone Valley Veggie Gardens (www.blackstonevalleyveggiegardens.com) offers a number of workshops for the home gardener both at their location as well as at local libraries. On May 19th, at 1 p.m., in fact, they will be giving a lecture on raised gardening techniques, sustainable growing and best practices at Bellingham Senior Center.
Nurseries like these have mostly everything you could need or want for your dream garden;
seedlings, potting soil/containers, a variety of perennials and annuals, gardening tools/supplies, seeds/bulbs, etc. There are many benefits to choosing a local supplier for your gardening needs as well- you get to support a small/local business and you get to learn from the folks who make this their life (a.k.a. the ones who know it best!). There is a wealth of knowledge (including some coveted tips and tricks) focusing on perennial care, annual care, foliage care, rose care, cactus care, grub control and beneficial bugs, organic insecticides, attracting butterflies and how to choose the right potting soil and containers (to name a few!) right at your fingertips when you choose to shop at a specialized gardening store.
Some organizations in the community also offer seedling sales. The Medway Community Farm, for example, at 50 Winthrop St., Medway, will hold its organic seedling sale on May 14th and 15th. White Barn Farm, in Wrentham, generally holds a seedling sale the weekend before Memorial Day.
If you’re interested in committing yourself beyond your yard, there are a number of ways you can expand and grow with gardening, especially if you’re also looking for some socialization. Joining your local garden club is a great way to share knowledge with neighbors- especially since they are working with the same (or very similar) environmental factors/challenges. Some of Bellingham’s surrounding towns, including Franklin, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, Ashland and Holliston all have active garden clubs. Participating in a community garden or a community beautification project is both a great way to get involved in your community and also showcase your green thumb talents.
Whatever Spring brings to your table, hopefully it brings you outside. Regardless of your involvement with gardening, you can still reap many of the benefits as an admirer. At the very least, getting outside to look at the beautiful blooms increases your exposure to Vitamin D; one of the best natural mood and energy enhancers (with SPF protection, of course!).
