If you’re anything like me, then you are more than ready for the upcoming growing season. It is always amazing to be in my garden and watch the flowers, herbs, and vegetables grow from tiny seedlings to robust creatures that are sometimes taller than me. I love growing tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, and flowers, and I’ll be sure to challenge my gardening capabilities by adding new plant varieties to the garden beds this year.
Although typically at this time of year, I’m either fighting off temptation to clear out my garden space or start seeds indoors, this year I’m daring to start a little earlier. The temperatures we’ve experienced on Long Island lately indicate that our friendly pollinators are waking up. The general rule is to leave piles of leaves and garden debris alone until it’s a steady 50° out. Once we’re ready to put away our heavier coats and boots for the season, so too are the pollinators ready to come out of their winter hibernation.
So with that in mind, I’ll be starting seeds like cucumber, various kinds of tomatoes, and peas. I’ll also try out pumpkin this year, which will be so fun to see grow into autumn adornments if all goes to plan. Before I start anything, I’ll create a plan and map out what I’m planting and where and gather the essentials for this growing season.
Now is a great time to buy supplies such as soil, raised beds, gardening gloves & hand tools, seedling trays, and seed packets if you haven’t already. My favorite shops for garden supplies include Father Nature’s Garden Center (locations in St James, East Islip, and Kings Park), Home Depot, and Amazon. I also love to check out Peconic River Herb Farm. They offer a variety of herbs, flowers, vegetables, trees, and shrubs ready to transplant into your own garden. Plus, the grounds are so beautiful to walk around.
What do you plan on growing this season?
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