Next week is Ground Hog Day, the official beginning of spring in my world. Spring means to me sprouting plants, growth – not only the weeds popping up in my yard – but also the beginning of my backyard gardening.
Now is not too early to plan for early spring planting outdoors.
Grow Your Own
When our food is grown without herbicides and pesticides in microbe-rich soil, it not only provides dense nutrients, it feeds our own microbiome, the garden of microorganisms inside us that we depend on for digestion and producing energy. The acceleration of chronic disease of the last 30 years correlates with the destructive practices in food production.
I find it empowering to grow for ourselves an alternative to conventionally-produced food which undermines our health.
And I find a huge difference in taste too: incomparably great!
Let’s Start
I gather my resources:
- Ten Steps to a Successful Vegetable Garden from the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
- Planting Guide from The Farmer’s Almanac (put in your own zip code)
- My assortment of seeds
Then, I start planning. In order to work hand-in-hand with Nature, I look for a table of planting according to the moon, so I consult the Farmer’s Almanac.
Then, I want to know what can be planted at my elevation at this time, so I consult the UofA extension’s manual. (By the way, the UofA has tremendous resources on its website)
I find that in February, in Cottonwood, which is 3550 feet in elevation, I can plant
- Asparagus
- Broccoli seed
- Cabbage seed
- Chard
- Endive
- Garlic
- Horseradish
- Kale
- Kohlrabi
- Leek
- Lettuce (head)
- Mustard
- Onion – green bunch
- Peas – spring
- Pepper seeds
- Spinach
What an abundance! And I notice that there is even more that I can plant in March!
I certainly will narrow it down for now. Spring peas, for sure, bunch onion, spinach, leeks, and chard appeal to me as a start.
Planning When
I will prepare the soil soon, but I first look to the moon cycle to determine the best day for planting.
In general, above-the-ground veggies such as spinach and chard grow best when planted between new moon and full moon as the energies are waxing and rising. In addition, root veggies such as radishes and onions grow best when planted between full moon and new moon when the energies are waning and sinking.
The Farmer’s Almanac is brilliant in that it has charts of “Best Days” based on the phase of the moon. Not only can you find the best days to plant and harvest crops, but it will tell you the best days to quit smoking, get married, or even begin a diet to lose weight!
Let’s Do It!
I remember that we had a full moon just last week, so the new moon should be next week. I look at the 2022 calendar and see it falls on February 1, the day before Ground Hog Day. Consulting the Farmer’s Almanac Best Days, I see that Febuary 2 & 3, next week, are the best days to plant above-ground crops such as my chard, peas, and spinach. Then February 21-22 are the best days for radishes and onions.
Keep posted to see my garden progress.
And explore all the resources at The Garden Kitchen from the University of Arizona, including composting and container gardening.
And remember to water with structured water, for the health of the plants as well as the soil, which translates to your own health.
I hope this is inspiration for you to gather some seeds, prepare your soil such as in pots or the ground, and get planting! You know deep inside that it will make a difference in your health.
And your taste buds will thank you!
