THE FRUGAL GARDENER
by Charlotte Ortisi
Here we are in the grip of winter.  If we look out at our gardens right now, that  might be an understatement. Ah, but this a joyous time of year for me. Each day gets a minute longer, a minute more daylight, at least a minute closer to planting time!

There are things that could be done now for maximum production next spring, summer, and fall. Notice  I said "could be done". Gardening is a pleasure to me with many rich rewards. Competition with my neighbors or perfection itself  is not on my agenda. The Zen of it , is not to become a slave to your garden, but to enjoy, savor, listen, watch, and do!

The Japanese have a saying  -  the best time to prune is when you  have time. The best time to garden is when you have time. Makes sense to me.

If you haven't already covered your planting beds for the winter, there is still time to do so. The best thing  you can do  for your soil is protect it form the ravages of battering rain and crusty frost.

Eighty percent of growing healthy organic produce and robust flower gardens is soil preparation, ten percent is viable seeds and the last ten percent is nurture, as in water, proper conditions ( full sun, shade, fertilizer, ph level, etc.).

     
Here are some ideas on what you might use:

	Grass clippings - my favorite, especially mixed with leaves
	Aged sawdust
	Leaves - tucked in to the soil with a shovel
	Hay - spoiled hay is cheap or free,  Alfalfa hay is at the top of the list for nitrogen
	Conifer - (redwood, cedar, fir, pine) needles and duff ( please do not strip a tree clean)
	Newspaper - weighed down with rocks or soil
	Animal manures - HORSE, cow, chicken,
	Compost - hopefully homemade

JANUARY

Cold damp weather. Tender plants need frost protection. Plant bareroot fruit , flowering and shade trees, grape and berry vines, strawberries and roses. 

Flowers: Set out pansies, English daisies, primroses, snapdragons, and stocks. Sow sweet peas.
Vegetables: Put in transplants of broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and lettuce for April harvest.  Plant asparagus, artichokes, seed potatoes, onions and garlic sets.

Prune fruit trees, berries, grapes and roses.  Apply dormant spray now.


FEBRUARY

Cold afternoon winds, frosty nights, El Nino rains.
Pick up camellia blossoms to control petal blight.
All bareroot plants listed for January are good bargains now.

Flowers: Put in hardiest annuals and perennials: calendulas, fairy primroses, pansies, snapdragons and violas.
Plant  gladioluses, callas and tuberous begonias now.

Vegetables: Plant dormant roots of asparagus, rhubarb, artichokes, horseradish and strawberries.
Potatoes, onions and garlic can go in this month.

If you dormant oil spray, this is the time to do your fruit trees. 
Prune winter-tender plants:  fuchsias, hydrangeas, herbs etc.. 
If you live in a colder climate than Fortuna, wait a month or two to do this.

MARCH

Some cold days and chilly nights still ahead.  Start summer vegetables and flower seeds indoors for transplanting outside when soil warms.

Flowers: Plant annuals such as cinerarias, ageratums, fibrous begonias, dwarf marigolds and primroses.
Sow wildflowers. 
Callas, dahlias and cannas are just a few tubers to drop in this month.

Vegetables: Plant the last of the cool-season peas, lettuce and spinach from seed, and broccoli and cauliflower from four inch pots.
Plant Herbs.
Set out tomatoes!

Top dress plants with a good compost or aged manure to encourage spring growth.  Pull new weeds.

 

HERE IS A LIST OF VEGETABLES
TO PLANT IN THE FALL.

arugula
beets
broccoli
brussels sprouts
cabbage
carrots
cauliflower
celery
chard
chinese cabbage
chards
endive
fava beans
garlic
green onions
kale
kohlrabi
leeks
lettuces
mustard greens
onions
parsley
parsnips
peas
radishes
rutabagas
salsify
shallots
spinach
turnips

HAPPY  GARDENING