CHESTER, Vt. – While we wait for yet another snowstorm to grace our garden plots with a layer of snow, the Chester Community Greenhouse and Garden folks say the best way to chase away the winter blues is to start planning your garden.
The seed catalogs have long since arrived in the mail, and you have no doubt picked out your favorites. Starting seeds at home is easy, and can save money. You just need a good, sunny, warm spot on a windowsill or table, some seed-starting soil, and containers. Some flower varieties that are good to start indoors are snapdragons and pansies, as they can tolerate cooler temperatures and can be put out before the danger of a late frost date. Zinnias are another favorite of the community garden, and they usually like a four to six week head start. Perennials such as lavender and echinacea require a longer start, making them perfect for starting in February and March. On the vegetable side of things, peppers, and eggplants can be started eight to 10 weeks before the last frost date. Broccoli, cabbage, kale, and Brussels sprouts start five to seven weeks before last frost, and tomatoes can be started six to eight weeks before frost.
There are a lot of ways to start your seeds indoors, but it’s most important to have good light so the plants won’t get too leggy. A great way to upcycle your plastic salad greens containers is to fill them with potting soil, sow your seeds, and pop the cover closed to make a perfect moist mini-greenhouse for seed germination. As the plants get bigger, you can transplant if needed. The Chester Community Greenhouse and Garden has several plots devoted to growing vegetables for the local food shelf, and there are still plots available for Chester residents. Scholarships are also available. For more information, visit www.chestercommunitygreenhouseandgardens.org.