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Early Gardening

Warmer days are almost here and many people are itching to get outside and plant flowers and vegetables. If you start your seeds now, you will save both time and money.

In two weeks, our mild winter will turn to spring. And if you`re hoping to bite into your own fresh produce before August, you`d better be willing to put in a little time now.

"It really depends, if you want to have fruit by July, you do need to have your transplants started by now. And pick an early variety," said Kevin Hollatz, manager at Plant Perfect.

When it comes to your garden, a little preparation goes a long way. Number one, if you`re planting tomatoes or peppers indoors in the dead of winter, they can take a couple weeks to germinate. It`s also going to save you money to pick up a seed packet versus coming back in April or May to pick up some seedlings in a greenhouse.

"You, for instance, might buy 24 seeds for a couple dollars, compared to if you`re going to buy 24 plants, you`re going to be spending 12 to 15 dollars," Hollatz said.

When it`s time to move the plants outside, unless you have a backyard, you`d better have a space lined up. The Bismarck Community Garden will turn six years old this spring. Coordinator Kent Morrow says right now, there are around 50 plots up for grabs. But he cautions, they`re gone in a hurry.

"A lot of people move in off the farm to Bismarck, retire and they want to keep on gardening. So this is a great opportunity for them to do that."

If you can`t find a space there, both Mandan and the Burleigh County Extension Service will also have plots for rent.

"I know one person around two years ago in their 10 by 10 plot, raised about 400 pounds of vegetables," Morrow said.

Not bad for ten dollars a year. Best of all, you can enjoy the fruit of your labor without draining all of the green from your wallet.

To find out more about a community garden plot in Bismarck, call 255-1344.

If you log on to Joel`s Facebook page Joel Porter KFYR-TV.com", he`ll show you a way to build your own herb garden using recycled glass jars.