Ready to kick off a veggie-growing adventure that’s as exciting as it is delicious? Grab your gardening gloves and join my friend Trina – a seasoned vegetable-growing pro – as we delve into the practical, warm, and downright fun world of starting your very own vegetable garden from seed.
Why Start a Veggie Garden in January and February? Winter might have its chill, but January and February are the secret keys to veggie-growing success. Trina and I recently shared our insights on my podcast (link here), and we’re thrilled to guide you through the essential steps to get your garden off the ground.
(Here’s the link to our podcast on Harvesting Your Garden & Amazing Farm to Table Tips from 2023!)
Resources to Kickstart Your Journey:
Trina’s Pro Tips for Veggie Growing Success: Meet Trina, the veggie guru with a green thumb and a passion for growing fresh, delicious produce. With her husband Brian, a chef, and their combined expertise from years of training and experimenting, they’re the dynamic duo behind some seriously impressive veggies. Check out the podcast for their insights and anecdotes.
Salsa Garden Extravaganza: A Flavorful Side Quest Before we dive into starting veggies by seed, let’s talk salsa gardens! Trina shared her secrets to a thriving salsa garden in our podcast, and it’s too good not to include here.
What You Need for a Salsa Garden:
- Tomatoes: Go for varieties like Roma or cherry tomatoes.
- Peppers: Mix it up with sweet and hot peppers for that perfect kick.
- Garlic: Gotta have garlic!
- Onions: Add depth to your salsa with red or white onions.
- Cilantro: The fresh, zesty twist your salsa can’t do without.
Try Trina’s Winning Salsa Recipe:
Ingredients
- 10 fresh tomatoes
- 2/3 cup onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1/2 cup cilantro
- the juice of 1 lime
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 jalapeno pepper, seeds removed, diced
- 1 poblano pepper, seeds removed, diced
Instructions- Rinse and dry the tomatoes. Slice the ends off and cut in half.
- Squeeze the tomato in your hands to remove juice and seeds.
- Put tomatoes in a large food processor.
- Pulse 4-6 times until the tomatoes reach a thick and chunky consistency.
- Put all remaining ingredients in to the food processor with the tomatoes.
- Pulse 3-5 times until well combined, but still chunky.
- Eat right away or store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Growing Veggies from Seed: Practical Steps to Success:
- Seed Selection: Pick varieties suited to your region. Trina recommends heirloom seeds for that extra burst of flavor.
- Supplies You Need: Gather your essentials – seed trays, quality soil, grow lights (if starting indoors), and labels for organization.
- Timing is Everything: Consult your local frost dates and count backward to determine the best time to start your seeds indoors.
- Starting Seeds Indoors: Follow Trina’s lead – sow your seeds in trays, keep them warm, and watch those little green shoots emerge.
- Transitioning to Outdoor Beds: As spring approaches, harden off your seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions.
- Outdoor Bed Preparation: Get your garden beds ready by clearing debris, amending soil with compost, and ensuring proper drainage.
Resources and Links to Guide You:
- Field-to-Table Institute
- Trina’s Favorite Online Seed Companies:
- The Rusted Garden
- Winter Sowing Method
- Cool and Warm Weather Veggies
- Seed Starting Trays
- Heat Mat
- Grow Lights
- Missouri Extension Planting Calendar
- Nitrogen Enriched Fertilizer
- Fish Emulsion
- Compost Tea
- Learn about the importance of Seed Banks
Your Veggie Garden Adventure Begins! So, there you have it – the warm, practical, and fun guide to kickstarting your veggie garden. Tune into our podcast for more insights and stories and get ready to watch your garden flourish. January and February are your months to shine!
Happy planting and even happier harvesting!