Landscaping IDEAS for Garden
You’re yearning for longer—and warmer—days. You’re dreaming of rapidly disappearing snow and ever-greening grass. And you’re chomping at the bit to pull on gloves to help you garden, not keep your fingers warm. Yes, winter may have officially only just begun, but the passing of the Winter Solstice also signals the rapid approach of the New Year. What does 2017 have in store for you and your garden?
As you reflect on gardens of years past and look ahead to growing next year’s flowers, fruits, and vegetables, take a moment or two to peruse the following gardening ideas. Even if (or perhaps especially if) you’re not feeling that gardening “itch” quite yet, we hope you’ll dig in and give them more than a passing glance.
Get a head start on this year’s garden. As you begin to mentally map out your garden space, be sure to also request your free 2017 Seed Savers Exchange catalog (or shop online). And don’t wait too long to order your heirloom, historic, or open-pollinated seeds either—the ideal time to sow spinach, lettuce, peas, carrots, and other cool-season crops is right around the corner in many parts of the country.
Plant an indoor herb garden. Is there any downside to having fresh, fragrant herbs like basil, chives, oregano, sage, and thyme at your fingertips? While your kitchen provides the ideal setting for an indoor herb garden—you can clip and toss the herbs in your favorite dish on demand—herbs will flourish in most any sunny room, and likely make your house more aromatic too.
Give edible landscaping a try. Yes, you can have a spectacular garden and eat it too. Edible landscaping—the practical integration of food plants within a decorative setting—yields fresh fruits and vegetables even as it gives your home environs a fresh look too. Want to learn more? Seed Savers Exchange board member Rosalind Creasy has authored one of the definitive books on this topic.
Involve a child (or children) in your gardening. Nurture that natural enthusiasm children have for digging in the dirt to teach them how their food is grown. This special children’s seed collection—comprising sunflower, popcorn, and other easy-to-grow seeds—can get you started. And while there are no guarantees, it’s likely your young gardeners will be more excited about eating those veggies when they’ve helped grow them too.
