It has definitely been a very different spring for everyone with the order to “stay at home.” I do hope you have been able to get out doors a little. One thing is for sure, spring weather is improving and we certainly have had plenty of fresh air time. We’ve been able to enjoy time outside going for walks, doing garden and yard work. I know there have been many people that while walking along some back roads are also doing trash pick-up. 

Most gardeners are getting the itch to grow something — I know I have. Most gardeners have looked at (and probably ordered) from seed catalogs. One of my favorite activities is starting some tomato and pepper seeds — trying some new varieties.

In winter I always look forward to attending the Garden Expo and listening to some speakers. One of my favorites is Jerry Apps, who grew up in Wisconsin, was a University of Wisconsin agriculture professor and has authored many books. He shared some of his garden advice with us.

First: Start planning early and look at seed catalogs during the winter, they usually start arriving right after Christmas. He advises to try something new — a new vegetable or a new variety. I have tried many new varieties and some become new favorites.

Every year we should make a map of our garden; we may think we will remember where things were planted but many times we forget. It is important to rotate where we plant things on our garden.

We should try to incorporate some beauty in our garden-try to plant some flowers at the end of each garden row. It also encourages butterflies and other pollinators to come to our garden; they help with pollinating some vegetables that need to be pollinated too. 

He encourages mulching around our garden plants because it helps with weed control. Around many of my plants I put a layer of newspaper between plants and then mulch with straw. This also helps the soil stay moist.

One of the facts with gardening is your hoe is your best friend. Try to get out in your garden as often as possible to keep up with weeds, look at it as an exercise routine.

One of the most important things Jerry advises, and I also try to do this, is to introduce children to the wonders of nature. Growing vegetables can be very interesting to them. The wonder of planting the tiny little seed that becomes a carrot or even a big pumpkin is fascinating and it encourages them to eat more vegetables. In recent years there have been many schools that have started school gardens and it has become very popular. I certainly hope it will continue. Gardening teaches children and all of us to take care of our earth and become good stewards of the land.

Note: In past years, the Green County Master Gardeners have hosted a plant sale in May. Unfortunately, due to the COVID virus we are unable to hold our sale this year but certainly hope we will be able to next year. 

We have also been planning a Garden Walk, with the funds to be given to the Hospice Home. We have several local gardeners willing to show their gardens. The date chosen is Saturday, June 27. We hope to be able to have the tour, but it may have to be canceled. Thank you everyone that has supported either of these events in the past.

Happy Gardening!

— Kris Winkler is a master gardener with the University of Wisconsin-Extension. She can be reached at kriswink56@gmail.com.