If you love gardening or have just gotten started, the past couple of weeks had to get you excited! It was so nice to be able to wear short sleeves and enjoy those warm days. Warmer weather and birds chirping always makes me eager to get my hands in the dirt and start planting seeds! However, ole Mother Nature said "Nope...Not yet!!" So, with 50-60 degrees one day and the threat of 4" of snow the next...Welcome to Kentucky!
But all of that is alright. We are technically still in winter. Now is the perfect time to be planning your garden. If you haven't already got a garden site, now would be the perfect time to choose one. Selecting the location of your garden is important. If your yard is small, use the space you have available. A small garden is always better than no garden. If you have more ground available, you should consider the soil type and the location.
If you have an area that is somewhat sandy, that area will dry out earlier in the spring; it will also become warmer, quicker, and can be worked earlier than an area composed mostly of clay. A spot that is mostly sandy is an ideal location for an early garden. Be careful though, if your soil is too sandy it can result in a lack of moisture during the hotter, drier months of summer. Not to worry though, most fruit and vegetables will grow successfully in almost any type of soil as long as there is adequate sunlight and water.
The garden area should be in an open area away from trees. Trees not only shade your garden but can also deprive your plants of nutrients and moisture. A gentle southern slope is best for early planting. A southern facing location will give you the most direct exposure to sunlight, while a slight slope will offer natural drainage and also help protect young plants from cold north winds. A garden planted later in the season may benefit from a low, flat area. This area will be more likely to hold moisture longer during the dry months of summer.
Another important consideration is water. With that in mind, choose a location close to your house if possible or to a water source. That will make watering easier if you are using water hoses. A garden closer to your house will help protect it from animals (deer, dogs, chickens, etc.). It also makes it easier to use every possible moment to get out there in it rather than make excuses not to.
Once you've decided on location and found good soil, you're ready to start (weather permitting). You can count on some hard, hot days, and some days will be a lot of work, but it's worth it. So, wherever you decide to put your garden (no matter how big or how small), just remember having your own fresh fruits and vegetables growing right at home is an amazing feeling of accomplishment!
Happy gardening, everyone!
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