Growing Vegetables For A Beginner

The best place to find God is in a garden. You can dig for him there. – George Bernard Shaw

When the holidays are over and a new year begins, I look forward to spring. It doesn’t matter that it is over 2 months away.  Spring is my favorite time of year.  In most of the country, winter is a “downtime” in the garden. During those months, you have time to consider what you want to add or change in your garden. I always start with a piece of paper and a rough drawing of my yard.  It’s never to scale but it helps me plan what projects I’m doing this year.  Are you growing vegetables or making a raised bed?  Adding to the shrubs or trees that form your basic landscape? Winter is the time to dream and plan.

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Gardening in December

We’re getting close to the official first day of winter on December 21st. We’re all decorating, baking, and planning for the two big holidays, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Then cold, dark January comes with low temperatures and for many locations, dreary gray skies. For many of us it means we’re going to end up spending most of our time snuggled up indoors cozy under a blanket. For those of you in more northern climates, you’ve already had snow and are in the winter season no matter what the calendar says. Now we’re in the huge Christmas rush. In another month, the holidays are over and the New Year is upon us.  Are you making resolutions for 2022? How about adding gardening to your list?

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Garden Planning Guide with Printables

This post was originally published on 2/7/18. It has been updated 2/2/24.

In most of the country, winter is a “downtime” in the garden. During those months, you have time to consider what you want to add or change in your garden. I always start with a piece of paper and a rough drawing of my yard.  It’s never to scale but it helps me plan what projects I’m doing this year.  Are you adding new flowers? Growing vegetables or making a raised bed?  Removing a bush that was a mistake? Adding to the shrubs or trees that form your basic landscape? Winter is the time to dream and plan.

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