Rebecca’s Garden Notes: Getting Engaged with Your Plot This Spring

Welcome to a new season at the Benson Community Garden. Whether you’ve been gardening for decades or just getting started, there’s something incredibly rewarding about tending your own little piece of earth. As we head into spring, I’d like to share a few reminders and tips to help you get the most from your plot—and enjoy the process along the way.

1. Plan Your Plot
   Before planting, take time to map out your garden. Using a journal and calendar to record what you planted, where, and when, is a valuable habit. These notes will help you understand your garden’s rhythm and guide your decisions in future seasons. This is especially helpful if you’re starting seedlings indoors or experimenting with new crops.
2. Label Your Plantings
   Mark where you’ve planted your seeds and starts. It may seem simple, but it helps prevent accidental disturbances when planting successive crops. It’s also wise to consider now where larger plants—like tomatoes—will go. Go ahead and install cages or supports early, and you can plant spring greens, radishes, or herbs around them in the meantime.
3. Embrace the Flavors of Spring
   Cool-season crops offer wonderful variety and flavor. I always enjoy growing cilantro, dill, and arugula this time of year. These plants grow well in spring and often flower as temperatures rise. Let them bloom—pollinators love their flowers, and you may even find them re-seeding for a fall crop.
4. Practice Patience
   Gardening takes time. Food doesn’t appear overnight, and that’s part of its beauty. Each day in the garden is a chance to connect—with your plants, with the community, and with the environment. The process is just as meaningful as the outcome. Tending a garden means tending to more than just plants.
5. Wait for Warmth
   Hold off on planting warm-season crops like tomatoes, basil, cucumbers, and beans until the soil and air are consistently warm. These plants will grow more successfully when planted at the right time, with the right conditions.
6. Feed Your Soil
   Soil health is key to plant health. I recommend a balanced organic granular fertilizer to activate beneficial microbes—there’s a good option at Menards made from poultry manure. Compost or worm castings are also excellent choices. Make sure to water seeds and transplants thoroughly, and consider mulching to retain moisture. For warm-season crops, wait to mulch until the soil has warmed.
7. Learn from Each Season
   Every year brings new successes and lessons. Some crops will thrive, and some may not. That’s part of gardening. Keep notes in your journal, try new things, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Over time, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of your garden’s unique needs and potential.

I hope these tips support a healthy and enjoyable season for you. Remember, the garden is more than just a space to grow food—it’s a place to grow knowledge, community, and connection. Have a great season.

—Rebecca