Time To Garden! Part 1

Nothing says springtime like getting outside and tending a garden. Now is the perfect time to begin planning what you would like to plant this year, and where you want to grow it. Children love to garden too, so perhaps this is the year they can help out. I don't think a garden needs to be big to be rewarding. A large pot brimming with plants feels like a great accomplishment.

If you would like to start some vegetables, first think about what you and your family would enjoy eating. Do you like juicy tomatoes, colorful carrots, or flavorful herbs? Would you like some flowers to brighten up a dark corner, or bring indoors for a bouquet? Children love to pick carrots straight from the garden, or marvel at how large a sunflower can grow.

We are so lucky here in Petaluma to have such an amazing growing season. We also have some of the best gardeners around! Check out the Seed Bank for great seeds, and visit Cottage Gardens for some great plants, or advice on what to grow. If you don't have a balcony, patio, or dirt of your own, try gardening at one of our community gardens, like the one at McNear Park.

Sunset Magazine has a great online resource for starting a vegetable garden.

There really is no end to gardening advice, and it can range from the practical to the superstitious. Try not to let all the tips and tricks get in the way of getting started. The best advice will be what you learn through trial and sometimes error.