GUARDIAN’S GARDEN GUIDANCE
Consider Starting A Vegetable Garden From Seeds
by Denise Pattison, Advanced Master Gardener

If you have priced and also purchased organic vegetables in the market place you are aware that they are extremely more expensive than the regular produce. If you are conscious of the frequent, and at times, overuse of pesticides then you are anxious to do your part to garden successfully without using them. This harvested food is healthier for you and the environment. A light spray of water can wash off bugs, bacterial soaps can be used, and you can actually pick off bugs from plants in lieu of using poisonous products.

Planting by only using seeds can be a frustrating "trial by error" endeavor but it is worth a try. It is cheaper and the variety of vegetable packets in hardware and garden centers, catalogs and on the Web are amazing. The picture on the packets and in the catalogs is very tempting. Be sure to read and follow the directions offered.

If you need to plant in full sun, that means eight hours of daily sunlight. Take a good look at your proposed garden area and make certain it is not shaded in the afternoon. Check your soil conditions to see if amendments are needed. This can be done yearly and the improved soil conditions are rewarding. The MSU Extension office will offer directions on soil testing and the results of the soil test are returned in a timely fashion. It is also important to have a nearby water source. New plants and seedlings require moisture to grow and mature. There is still time to start some of your seeds indoors in peat pots with grow lights or you can start them in formerly used (sterilized) pots. Plant your seeds at the depth suggested on the packet, catalog or Web site you purchased from, water and place a plastic tent over the pot. When seeds sprout remove the tent, continue watering gently and place outdoors for a few days during daylight to harden before planting permanently outdoors. You must be aware of the weather channels and the frost habits in your particular area. Don't expect perfection but do treasure surprises. Depending on your soil conditions, weather and the care you give then, your plants may not follow the schedule described on the packet. Simply keep a journal, learn from your mistakes and celebrate your successes. You can safely plant lettuce seeds and peas in the ground in the Thumb area once the ground thaws. They are cold weather crops and will do well.

To learn more about this topic, call the Master Gardener office at 989-269-9949, ext. 603, or e-mail msue32@msu.edu. Their Web site listing classes being offered is www.msue.msu.edu/Huron. Click on "Master Gardener" on the side bar to get to their page.

Some of their upcoming activities that are open to the general public include:

• April 16 - Composting Workshop, 6 p.m., Huron Expo Center, fairgrounds, Bad Axe April 30 - Butterfly Workshop, 7 p.m., Bad Axe area. Call for details.
• April 26 - Master Gardener's will be at Embracing Our Earth at Laker High School
• May 17 - Perennial Plant Sale, 10 a.m., Huron Expo Center, fairgrounds, Bad Axe
• July 19 - Garden Walk of Huron County
• August to November - Master Gardener Series offered in the Bad Axe area.

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.