Seed catalogues brighten winter

Seed catalogs are arriving in abundance now. Photo by Darrell Blackwelder, for the Salisbury Post.

By Darrell Blackwelder

For the Salisbury Post

Now is the time when home gardeners receive a steady supply of garden and seed catalogs.

With the weather we've had lately, seed and plant catalogs provide a welcome escape for gardeners. This escape can be more relevant if we take a few minutes while perusing and make a garden plan.

Sketching out ideas or diagrams of a vegetable garden plot or planting can save much heartache later when the rush to plant arrives.

Gaining input from the entire family, especially the little ones, can make vegetable gardening a fun family event. Including the kids in the planning process often sparks a lifelong interest.

Gardeners need to be realistic about the variety and amount of vegetables to be planted in your garden. Prolific vegetable crops such as squash, tomatoes, peppers or green beans are excellent choices for small garden spaces or large containers. However, vegetable crops such as sweet corn, Irish potatoes or cantaloupes demand large areas for a feasible planting.

Over planting vegetable crops is common problem for novice gardeners. For example, summer squash tends to be the most overplanted vegetable. A planting of four to five vines provides an ample supply for a family of four.

It's fun to try new vegetable varieties each season. All-American Selections are usually excellent choices for those who enjoy experimentation. Be sure to carefully label new varieties, making sure to record data for later reference.

Be cautious and don't depend on fantastic results often claimed by colorful seed catalogs. Many will feature varieties that are often exaggerated, with dubious results. Some seed companies have crop data from test gardens in climates unlike ours that will not produce the same quality or quantity.

The majority of vegetable varieties selected and planted should be reliable, proven, family favorites.

Seed catalogs often have a limited seed supply, so it is advisable to place seed orders now. Don't forget to include flower seed along with the vegetables seed. Cut flowers are a welcome addition to the home during the growing season, providing beautiful borders around unattractive vegetables. Some species, such as marigolds, claim to ward off several insects species.

One of the most important aspects of the garden plan is a soil test. Home gardeners should have their soil tested before planting. Those who procrastinate may not receive the results until after planting time. It's not too late to sample for this seasons'' crop. Soil sample kits are available from the Cooperative Extension Office located on Old Concord Road in Salisbury.

Stick to your garden plan and making notes or a garden diary. It's important to keep reference notes to determine next seasons' selection.

Darrell Blackwelder is an agricultural agent in charge of horticulture with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in Rowan County.