I know what you're thinking: "Planning a garden? But, it's only January!" This was the mistake I made last year when I finally decided to plant a small vegetable patch in my backyard. I didn't even start looking at seed catalogs until late February, and even though I still managed to put a lot of plants into the ground by summer, many of them were started too late in the season to actually yield a good amount of produce (or, in some cases, any at all). So this year, I've decided to be a little more proactive; I've already drawn out plans for news plots, and put together a list of the seeds I'll need to make it happen. Timing is everything in gardening, I've discovered, and the earlier and more prepared you are, the better.
Books (and the web) are a great resource for how-to and inspiration on getting your garden started. I received this book for Christmas: "One Magic Square: The Easy, Organic Way to Grow Your Own Food on a 3-Foot Square". It's great for beginners who are starting off small, or for anyone who doesn't have a lot of land to work with. If you're an apartment dweller, don't despair! Check out "Apartment Gardening: Plants, Projects, & Recipes for Growing Food in Your Urban Home", which has a ton of awesome suggestions for small-scale container gardening. Another option would be to rent a plot or volunteer at one of Baltimore's community gardens, which has opportunities available in both the city and county.
As you can see, there are many ways you can experiment with growing your own food. Whether you're a veteran gardener, or just have a few small pots on your window sill, cultivating your own food is one of the most rewarding experiences you can undertake. : )
Image sources: GROWtest.org, The Experiment Publishing, and BaltimoreDIY.
Written by Open Eyes Press
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