Planting Season is Here

Hey guys! As the temperatures begin to rise and the days grow longer, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about getting your garden ready for the upcoming planting season. The anticipation of warm weather brings with it the excitement of preparing the soil, selecting seeds, and envisioning the beautiful blooms. Some seeds you may have already started indoors, especially those that require a bit more warmth and time to germinate, depending on their tolerance to cooler temperatures. Meanwhile, there are other seeds that are just on the cusp of being ready to sow directly into the garden beds, as the last frost dates approach and the soil warms up. This year, it seems there are many choices available for gardeners, ranging from heirloom varieties to new hybrids, and it can feel overwhelming to narrow down the options. With so many exciting options, I find myself grappling with the limited space in my garden.. I still don't think I'm totally decided on what I want to do this year. One of my goals this season is to plant as much as I can in new spots around my yard. This might involve transforming a neglected corner into a gardening spot. I’m also considering companion planting to manage weed growth, which could help me save my back and sweat.

My Garden Plans for This Year

This year, I’m really excited to fill most of my garden space with bright and tall sunflowers. They look amazing and help attract helpful pollinators like bees and butterflies. I will also have a bird and hummingbird feeder out as well. I can’t wait to try different types of sunflowers because they come in all sorts of sizes, colors, and shapes. Some will be really tall, while others will be shorter, which will make my garden look interesting.

Adding Tomatoes

Along with sunflowers, I also want to grow some tomato plants. Tomatoes are super popular in gardens because they taste great and can be used in many dishes. This year, I’m interested in growing heirloom tomatoes. These are special kinds that often have unique flavors and colors, which will make my garden look and taste even better. I’ll make sure to plant the tomatoes in a sunny spot because they need a lot of light to grow well. I have them started indoors, but I'm hoping they will transplant well when the time comes.

Adding Peas

Behind my sunflowers I have set up a strong frame made of two t-posts that hold up a piece of chicken wire across the back of my garden bed. It helps my pea plants grow. Last year, I did the same thing with my peas, and it worked really well! The chicken wire gave the peas something to climb on, and they grew so nicely that my garden looked amazing and I got a lot of peas.

The peas climbed up the wire, wrapping their little tendrils around it, creating a green wall of plants. As the season went on, I got tons of pea pods, each filled with sweet, fresh peas that were great for snacking or adding to meals. I had so many that I could share with friends and family, and I even had extra to freeze for later. This year, I can’t wait to do it again, making sure I plant my peas at the right time for them to grow well.

I will plant them at different times to make sure I can enjoy fresh peas for a longer time. With what I learned from last year, I’m sure this year’s crop will be even better, making my garden even more productive and beautiful! Here's a picture from last years pea garden.

Ground Cover with Creeping Thyme

To keep the area around my sunflowers looking nice and to stop weeds from taking over, I’ve decided to plant dwarf creeping thyme. This type of thyme grows low to the ground and is tough. It also smells really nice from what I read, so having my garden smell good also is a plus. The creeping thyme will help cover the ground and keep weeds away, while also providing a pretty purple background for the tall sunflowers. I hope the sunflowers and creeping thyme will work well together to create a beautiful garden.

Trying Thyme for the First Time

Since this is my first time growing thyme, I’m a bit nervous but mostly excited about how it will do in my garden. I’ve learned that thyme likes well-drained soil and lots of sunlight, which is perfect because that’s what my garden has. I can’t wait to see how quickly the thyme grows and spreads around the sunflowers, making a lovely purple carpet. I’ve also read that thyme is a tough herb that doesn’t need much water once it’s established, so it should be easy to take care of.

Looking Forward to a Great Gardening Season

As I start this garden for this year, I feel hopeful and excited for a great growing season. I’m looking forward to taking care of these plants and seeing how beautiful they will make my garden. With some planning and care, I aim to create a space that shows off the sunflowers and tomatoes while also highlighting the lovely creeping thyme as a supportive part of my garden design.