Guest feature: Gardening 101

By Becky Williams

Spring has officially sprung, and signs of new life are popping up everywhere.

Perhaps you’ve determined this will be the year when you finally take part in the horticultural world for the very first time. Or maybe you’ve tried, unsuccessfully, to garden in the past and now you wonder if there’s any hope for your not-quite-so-green thumbs. Either way, my hope is that this article will provide you a few, simple tips that will put you well on your way to a successful planting experience.

Gardening, to me, is therapeutic. It amazes me how God can take a little seed or plant, and it will grow into this luscious vegetable or fruit. It’s fun to get outside in the garden and “get dirty” — then a few weeks later, bite into a juicy, delicious, red tomato that I (and God) grew!

Let’s start with the basics

All plants can be divided into two categories: perennials and annuals.

Perennials do not die after one season; they come back on their own from year to year. Perennials are great for landscaping, and require less maintenance. A couple common examples of perennials are hostas and tulips.

Annuals, on the other hand, must be re-planted each year. Most garden vegetables, beans and seed flowers fall into this category. While they are a bit more work then perennials, annuals offer you variety and additions to your color palate each year.

It’s all about the timing

In order to have a successful garden, you must sow in the proper season, which varies from plant to plant.

Right now, the gardening rule in our Midwest climate is to not set out any plants that will be affected by cold nights. My advice is to hold off until after Mother’s Day, when frost is far less likely. The hardest thing about this, I know, is seeing all the nurseries with the bedding flowers and all their colors. It makes you want to buy them and plant — but be patient and WAIT! If you do decide you must buy them now, put them inside the garage or under an awning at night so they are protected until you plant them.

Conversely, there are a few plants that should already be in the ground by now, such as root plants (i.e. potatoes, carrots and early peas). Some people use the rule: Plant your potatoes Palm Sunday weekend or Easter weekend. But those dates change every year —so it’s not a terrific guideline. Basically, they can be planted earlier than most plants since they are covered with soil.


There’s hope for you!

Maybe you’re thinking, “That’s all well and good, but I can’t grow a garden because [fill in the blank].”

But as the old saying goes, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

What if you live in an apartment with no yard? Try container gardening, also known as patio plants (the more in vogue name). You can get pretty large containers and even grow two to three things in one pot.

What if you have heavy shade throughout your yard? Definitely check with a florist or nursery worker to find out what plants will do well in your local climate or even in your particular yard. There are a lot of beautiful perennials that do well in the shade — so don’t give up and think that nothing will work.

What if the squirrels, rabbits, bugs, etc., are enjoying the “fruits of your labor?” Well, the rabbits have been having caucuses in my backyard already, so chicken wire around my vegetable garden is the ONLY thing I’ve been able to use to keep them out. Some plants will get bugs on their leaves, etc., and you will have to buy a liquid or powder spray, sold at garden centers. You might even bring a leaf in to the garden center so they can see what specific disease or spots you are dealing with on the plants.

What of if you don’t have a lot of time to keep up with gardening? Start with a small space or container gardening first. Once you get the weeds under control and the plants mature, you might be surprised how little time the maintenance really takes.

What if you have a “seedy” history of killing every plant within your care? Try a cactus. (Just kidding) Outside plants are quick to tell you if they need a drink of water (leaves wilt, turn brown, flowers droop, etc.) So, if we go through a drought season, keep them watered, but don’t drown them. If we’ve had plenty of rain and you “talk to them” on occasion, they will thrive!

Off you go!

The best advice for a novice gardener? Just dig in! Literally. The joy of gardening is its simplicity, and you’re sure to pick up a few tricks of your own along the way. You CAN do this.

Finally, if all else fails — if gardening really intimidates you or time is really an issue — support your local farmers market. These are wonderful, and the best of whatever is in season will be right at your finger tips!

Becky Williams works in Olivet Nazarene University’s Office of Development and fields gardening questions daily from co-workers who aspire to grow bountiful gardens.