KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – PLAN NOW FOR THE SUMMER GARDEN
KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – PLAN NOW FOR THE SUMMER GARDEN
Check out seed catalogs for ideas for the garden. I don’t recommend starting from seed for beginners but it will give you ideas for plants to look for at the garden center. Be mindful of what zone you are in to choose plants that will thrive in your area. Pay attention also to the area your garden is in. Is there enough sunlight? Some vegetables need more sun than others. Tomatoes need at least 8 hours a day. Cucumbers and peppers don’t quite need as much.
Space out vegetables appropriately. Each tomato plant needs about 2 square feet of space peppers about a foot and a half. Support each plant according to its’ growing habit. Tomatoes can be caged or tied to a stake. Cucumbers do well crawling up a trellis. You can plant in clusters of three or four cucumber plants and train them to go up the trellis. Peppers do well tied to a stake. They will stand on their own until the peppers grow but often will fall over with the weight of the fruit.
If you are a beginner start out with two or three different vegetables. Good starters are tomatoes peppers and cucumbers. These usually are easy to grow and don’t get too crazy. A caution on zucchini it tends to really take off and you often end up with waaay more than you planned. Grow what you like to eat. Lettuce does well in cooler weather. Pick often to encourage more growth spinach likewise. Depending on your soil type radishes and carrots are fun to grow. Soil around Chicago is very clay like so a short variety is appropriate. Well tilled soil is necessary for success with all vegetables especially root types.
Start small and have fun. Gardening is one of the best things for relaxation and it has a calming influence after a long day at work. If you have a lot of stress go out and dig in the dirt or pull some weeds.
KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO
