Great Time for Gardening!

[Petee]

Since lots of people will be home for the next couple of weeks, stay busy with starting your seeds!  Some of them take a lot longer to germinate and get to the proper size to set out into the garden.  Get your garden cleaned up if you didn't do it properly last fall.  Sanitize and sharpen your garden tools, stakes, buckets, etc.  Order an organizer appropriate for your seeds and label them correctly for storage for next year with year, germinating date, inside/outside.  Get your garden journal going.  Build some new beds and test the ones you have with a Penn State Soil Test Kit locally available at Agway for $9.  Be sure all amendments are labeled and sealed properly.  There's lots to do and this is your opportunity.  Being outdoors is healthy for everyone.  Build your immune system by getting out into the sunshine!

The Penn State Garden Hot Line is still working, so take the time to call about any growing problems.  It's provided by the federal, state and county government, so it's free to gardeners!  Just find the number for your county Extension and the call will be forwarded to the Master Gardener Hot line.  You will get a call back, possibly the same day.

[Petee]

I suppose lots of people are getting in shipments from Amazon or elsewhere.  Cut your boxes down flat and store them anywhere convenient for keeping down weeds in the garden this spring.  Peel off excess tape and very large labels.

If you have a location in mind that has decent soil, then you can also start creating a lasagna garden there.  In the spring it will be ready to plant into directly.  No tilling or digging required.  If you need info on Lasagna Gardening, just check out YouTube, or Master Gardeners can send info directly to you via internet.