WWW.CLEMSON.EDU/PSAMEDIA

DATE:   1/18/01
WRITER: Dr. David Bradshaw, Clemson Extension horticulturist,
        (864) 656-4949
EDITOR: Giles Singleton, (864)656-3876  

Three ways to enjoy gardening in winter 

     CLEMSON -- With ice on lakes in the Upstate recently and frost
everywhere quite often, it may be difficult to become motivated to
begin your spring garden. But don't let time slip away from you; now 
is the time to begin.
     There are three important ways to make use of what cold weather
is left to aid your gardening efforts later.
     First, disc your garden spot now, before the last freezing 
weather slips quietly into spring. Plowing exposes the soil to 
freezing and thawing, which improves soil structure the arrangement 
of soil particles with soil organic matter.
     Plowing also incorporates weed and vegetable debris into the 
soil where it is decomposed into useful organic humus. Humus in 
the soil improves aeration and drainage, increases water and nutrient
holding capacity and reduces compaction. By incorporating plant 
debris into the soil, we eliminate refuge for over-wintering insects.
     Second, plow again in late winter to disrupt the annual life
cycles of many harmful insects, exposing eggs and pupal stages of
insects to freezing temperatures. If you do this, your 2001 garden
should have fewer insect pests.
     Third, while winter is working its magic on the soil, you can 
plan your spring garden. Vegetable gardens are as diverse as family
size and preferences. So begin your planning with the vegetables your
family enjoys eating.
     This part of the process can be a family project. Get input 
from the children; they may become quite excited about growing the
things they like to eat. Next, decide how much of each vegetable you
need. 
     Also consider whether you plan to eat your vegetables fresh or 
if some will be preserved and stored for later consumption. With 
this in mind, decide how many seeds and which varieties of seeds 
to order.
     Later, near planting time, you can take children to the local
garden supply store to buy transplants. Children enjoy seeing the
immediate effect of transplanting plants like cabbages and broccoli 
and watching them grow.
                *******************************
     If you have gardening questions, write to PSA Media Relations,
A-101 Poole Agricultural Center, Clemson University, Clemson, S.C.
29634-0129. You might also want to check our website at
www.clemson.edu/psamedia.
                             END