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Now that the Arctic front that brought a wave of cold air and snow to many parts of the United States is fading, gardeners everywhere are feeling itchy about spring’s arrival. Spring is a season of renewal and growth, and your garden can reflect that with proper preparation. By tackling these tasks now, you’ll set the stage for a lush, thriving garden that brings joy and abundance throughout the growing season.

We all know that a well-thought-out garden plan is the key to a productive and beautiful growing season. Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or a beginner eager to dig in, now’s the perfect time to prepare for your spring garden. Here are some essential tasks to help you get started:

Check Out Your Garden Space

Winter offers an excellent opportunity to evaluate your garden layout. Take a walk around your growing areas and ask yourself:

• Are there areas that could be better utilized?
• Do I want to expand or reduce my growing space?
• Are there perennials or shrubs that need dividing or relocating?

Use the camera in your mobile phone to take photos. Turn your camera sideways to landscape mode to get a broad image of your current and potential growing areas.  While the amount of sunlight is shorter now than it will be in the Spring and Summer, take note of where you have full sun, shade, or partial shade.  Sketch a rough map of your garden to visualize where you’ll plant new crops or flowers. You might consider using an AI app to create a garden plan with plants you are considering.

Plan Your Crops

Take time to decide what you’ll grow. Consider:

• Which of my vegetables, fruits, or herbs performed well last year?
• Are there new varieties I want to try?
• How much space will each crop require?

Rotate crops to avoid soil depletion and reduce the risk of disease. For example, avoid planting tomatoes where you grew them last year.

Order Seeds and Supplies

Check out the UJAMAA SEEDS online collection (https://ujamaaseeds.com). We offer a wealth of options. Please be aware that many popular items sell out quickly, so order early. Also stock up on garden essentials like compost and soil amendments, mulch, fertilizers, and gardening tools.

Start Some Seeds Indoors

For crops like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants, starting seeds indoors can give you a head start. Invest in seed trays, grow lights, and a heat mat for the best results. Follow seed packet instructions for timing—many seeds need to be started 6-8 weeks before your last frost date.

To find your average last frost date, these are two useful online resources:

1. Purdue University's Freeze Date Tool. Select your county on the map to get your last average freeze date.
2. The National Gardening Association's Frost Dates by Zip Code.

Prepare Your Soil

The foundation of a successful garden is healthy soil. Once the ground is workable remove debris, such as fallen leaves or old plant material.  Test your soil to determine pH and nutrient levels. Add compost, manure, or other organic matter to enrich the soil. Tilling or gently loosen the soil in your growing areas will improve aeration and drainage.

Prune Trees and Shrubs

Late winter to early spring is an ideal time to prune. Remove dead or damaged branches to encourage healthy growth. For fruit trees, proper pruning improves fruit production.

Clean Up and Organize Tools

Inspect your gardening tools and repair or replace any that are damaged. Sharpen pruners and shears, and clean pots and trays to prevent the spread of diseases. Organize your tools in a way that makes them easily accessible.  Now’s the time to construct raised beds, trellises, or fencing. Don’t forget to repair any existing structures that may have been damaged by winter weather.

Plan for Pest and Weed Control

Start thinking about how you’ll manage pests and weeds. Consider installing physical barriers, like row covers and applying organic pest deterrents. Also, to suppress weed growth have mulch ready to lay down.

Create a Watering Strategy

Spring rain is helpful, but a consistent watering routine is essential as temperatures rise. Check your irrigation system or set up a rain barrel to conserve water. Mulching around plants can also help retain moisture.

Encourage Pollinators

Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators play a crucial role in garden health. Plant native flowers and flowering herbs to attract these beneficial creatures. Avoid using chemical pesticides that could harm them.

Final Thoughts: Keep a Gardening Journal

Document your garden’s progress throughout the year. Note what you plant, where you plant it, and how it performs. This information will be invaluable for future garden planning.

Growing corn in a backyard garden can be an excellent choice for several reasons:

Enjoy Corn’s Fresh Flavor: Homegrown corn tastes significantly better than store-bought, as it can be harvested at peak ripeness. The sugars in corn begin to convert to starch shortly after picking, so the fresher, the sweeter.

Fun for the Whole Family: Growing corn can be an educational and fun experience for families, especially for children who can watch the tall plants grow and harvest ears directly from the stalk. These benefits make corn an attractive addition to a backyard garden, especially if space and climate are suitable for this sun-loving crop.

Choose from Many Corn Varieties: Backyard gardeners can grow specialty varieties that aren't available in grocery stores, like heirloom or colorful varieties such as glass gem or sweet white corn.

Vertical Space Utilization: Corn grows vertically, making it a good choice for maximizing garden space. It can be interplanted with other crops in the "Three Sisters" tradition (corn, beans, and squash), where each plant supports the others. Once established, corn requires relatively little maintenance aside from consistent watering and occasional feeding, making it an easy crop for home gardeners.

Corn is Pollinator Friendly: Corn attracts pollinators like bees, which can benefit other crops in the garden. Wind-pollinated corn also helps improve air circulation in gardens. Corn stalks and leaves make good compost material after harvest, enriching the soil for future growing seasons.

 The corn you grow in your backyard can be used in a variety of ways, depending on its type. Here are some ideas:

• Fresh Corn on the Cob: Enjoy it simply boiled, grilled, or roasted with butter, salt, or herbs.
• Cornmeal or Flour: Dry and grind the corn to make cornmeal or flour for homemade cornbread, tortillas, or other baked goods.
• Popcorn: If you’re growing a popcorn variety, the kernels can be dried and used for homemade popcorn.
• Canned or Frozen Corn: Preserve your harvest by canning or freezing corn kernels to enjoy throughout the year.
• Corn Salsa: Use fresh kernels in a salsa with tomatoes, onions, and cilantro.
•  Corn Chowder: Create a hearty soup using your corn with ingredients like potatoes, cream, and bacon.
• Tamales: If you grow field corn, you can use the husks for tamales and make masa from the corn.
• Corn Syrup or Sweeteners: With some processing, corn can be turned into syrup for use as a sweetener.
• Livestock Feed: Dried corn is often used as feed for chickens, pigs, or other livestock.
• Decorations: If you grow ornamental varieties, like Indian corn, the colorful ears can be used for fall decorations.

TIPS ON GROWING CORN:

Growing corn in your backyard can be a rewarding experience if you follow some key tips to ensure a successful harvest:

Choose the Right Variety: Select a corn variety suited for your region's growing conditions. Sweet corn is popular for home gardens, but you can also try varieties like popcorn or ornamental corn. Make sure to check the days to maturity and choose one that fits your growing season. At Ujamaa Seeds we have several corn varieties. Select a variety that fits your location, and will be fun to watch grow.

Sun Exposure & Soil Preparation: Corn needs at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Make sure your planting site receives full sun for best growth. Corn thrives in well-draining, fertile soil rich in organic matter. Prepare the soil by incorporating compost or well-rotted manure. Ensure the soil is loose and well-aerated to allow root growth.

Planting Corn: Wait until the soil has warmed to at least 60°F (16°C), as corn prefers warm temperatures for germination and growth. You can start planting about two weeks after the last frost date in your area. Plant corn seeds 1-2 inches deep and space them 9-12 inches apart in rows that are about 24-36 inches apart. Corn is wind-pollinated, so plant in blocks or clusters of short rows (at least four rows) rather than one long row to improve pollination. Consider succession planting too extend your harvest, plant a new batch of corn every two weeks for a continuous supply throughout the growing season.

Corn Patch Maintenance Tips: Corn requires consistent moisture, especially during the germination and tasseling stages. Water deeply once or twice a week, providing about 1 inch of water per week. Avoid wetting the foliage, as it can encourage fungal diseases. Corn is a heavy feeder, so fertilize with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer when the plants are about 6 inches tall, and again when they are about knee-high. You can use compost or a balanced organic fertilizer for this.

Keep the area around your corn free from weeds, especially during the early stages of growth. Weeds can compete with corn for nutrients and water. Mulching around the base of the plants can help suppress weeds and retain moisture.

Watch for common pests like corn earworms, cutworms, and aphids. Handpick pests or use organic pest control methods like neem oil or insecticidal soap. Practice crop rotation to avoid soil-borne diseases. Since corn relies on wind for pollination, gently shaking the plants can help disperse the pollen from the tassels to the silk on the ears. This helps ensure good kernel development.

Harvesting: Corn is ready to harvest when the ears are filled out, and the silks have turned brown. To check for ripeness, peel back a small portion of the husk and puncture a kernel; if the liquid is milky, the corn is ready.

By following these tips, you can enjoy a bountiful corn harvest from your backyard garden!

Asia, the world’s largest continent is home to thousands of unique cultural food traditions. In the minds of many people, Asian food is just the eastern Chinese and Japanese cuisines, and possibly Indian food in South Asia. But Asia is so much more than those three regions. Our Asian Garden Seed Collection includes items from South Asia, Southeastern Asia and East Asia, as well as varieties from Western Asia and Northern Asia.  

Growing Asian garden varieties is a delightful endeavor, and you’ll find a wide variety of flavorful and nutritious vegetables, fruits, and herbs to grow from seed  at UJAMAA SEEDS. 

CLICK on the varieties below to learn more about some of our top Asian varieties you might consider planting:

Chinese Long Bean, Winged Bean, Bitter Melon, Kuroda Carrots, Pink Celery, Alchi Cabbage, Yukina Savoy Cabbage, Ashwaganda, Thai Jicama, Izmir Turkish Poppy, Heshiko Bunching Onion, Goji Berry, Japanese Persimmon, Fenugreek, Kanamachi Turnip

GROW & EAT LEAFY GREENS

Leafy greens are low in calories yet high in fiber, making them ideal for weight management. Fiber helps in maintaining a healthy digestive system and contributes to a feeling of fullness, which can prevent overeating. Leafy greens can be incorporated into a variety of dishes. They can be eaten raw in salads, sautéed with garlic and olive oil, added to soups and stews, or blended into smoothies. This versatility makes it easy to include them in your daily diet.

Many leafy greens, especially kale and collard greens, are rich in vitamin K, which is crucial for bone health. Vitamin K acts as a modifier of bone matrix proteins, improves calcium absorption, and may reduce urinary excretion of calcium.

Recent studies suggest that the consumption of leafy greens may be beneficial for maintaining mental health and cognitive function. Nutrients like folate and vitamin K found in greens have been linked to a lower risk of cognitive decline.

The vitamins and minerals in leafy greens can support skin health. For instance, vitamin C, abundant in these vegetables, is essential for the production and maintenance of collagen, providing skin with structure and elasticity.

Incorporating leafy greens into your diet not only brings a host of health benefits but also adds color and variety to your meals.

Leafy greens are nutrient-dense, providing vitamins such as A, C, K, and folate, as well as minerals like iron and calcium. Freshly harvested greens from your garden are likely to retain more nutrients compared to store-bought ones that have been transported and stored for longer periods. Leafy greens are high in antioxidants and other phytonutrients, which can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

GROWING TIPS FOR PLANTING LEAFY GREENS

Late April or May are excellent times for planting leafy greens, ensuring both a productive and manageable garden. If the last frost has passed in your region, you can start planting leafy greens like spinaches, lettuces, and kale outdoors in late April or May.

In many climates, the mild temperatures of late spring are ideal for leafy greens, which tend to prefer cooler weather. They can germinate and grow without the stress of mid-summer heat. The increasing day lengths and warmer soil temperatures of late spring can promote faster and healthier growth. Leafy greens often have a short maturity cycle, allowing them to be harvested just a few weeks after planting.

Planting in late April or May can facilitate a continuous harvest cycle. By planting successively or choosing varieties with staggered maturity times, you can extend the availability of fresh greens from your garden. Cooler spring weather can help in managing pests, as many common pests of leafy greens are less active in cooler temperatures. This can reduce the need for chemical pesticides.

Growing herbs indoors can be a rewarding endeavor, giving you fresh flavors right at your fingertips. In addition, herbs sprouting up indoors can be a rewarding way to bring some greenery into your home and have fresh flavors on hand for cooking. Here are some useful tips to help you get started and keep your herbs thriving:

Choose the Right Herbs: Some herbs are more suited to indoor growing than others. Basil, chives, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, and thyme are all excellent choices for indoor gardens.

Provide Adequate Light: Herbs need about six to eight hours of sunlight per day. If you don’t have a sunny windowsill, consider using a grow light. Position the light about six inches above the plants and keep it on for the recommended amount of time.

Use Well-Draining Soil: Herbs don't like to sit in wet soil, so use a potting mix designed for indoor plants, which typically has good drainage. Adding a bit of perlite or sand can improve drainage further.

Water Properly: Water your herbs when the top inch of soil feels dry. Be careful not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot. Herbs like to be moist, but not soggy.

Choose the Right Containers: Make sure your pots have drainage holes to allow excess water to escape. You can use almost any container, but terracotta pots are particularly good for herbs because they allow the soil to breathe.

Fertilize Sparingly: Herbs generally require less fertilizer than other plants. Use a half-strength, balanced fertilizer every four to six weeks during the growing season.

Prune Regularly: Pruning encourages growth and prevents the plants from becoming leggy. Regularly harvesting the tops of your herbs will help keep them bushy and productive.

Control the Environment: Keep the temperature around your herbs comfortable (65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal). Avoid placing your herbs near cold drafts or excessive heat sources.

Watch for Pests: Keep an eye out for common pests such as aphids and spider mites. If you spot pests, you can usually wash them off with a gentle spray of water or use insecticidal soap.

Acclimate Outdoor Herbs: If you're moving herbs indoors from the outside, gradually acclimate them to the lower light levels inside your home to prevent shock.  By following these tips, you can enjoy a variety of fresh herbs in your kitchen, adding a burst of flavor to your cooking all year round.

GROWING CRESS IN A BOWL

If you don’t want to play in potted soil, consider cress.  Growing cress indoors in a bowl is a simple and quick way to enjoy fresh greens. Cress, with its peppery flavor, is perfect for salads, sandwiches, and garnishes. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:

Choose Your Bowl: Select a shallow bowl or dish. It doesn’t need to be very deep since cress roots are shallow.

Prepare the Growing Medium: You can use paper towels, cotton wool, or a thin layer of soil as a growing medium. Paper towels or cotton wool are cleaner and easier to manage, especially for beginners. If using paper towels, lay them flat to completely cover the bottom of the bowl. If using soil, fill the bowl with about an inch of potting mix.

Moisten the Medium: Thoroughly wet the paper towels or cotton wool with water until it’s evenly moist but not soaking. If using soil, water it until it’s damp all the way through.

Sow the Seeds: Sprinkle the cress seeds evenly over the surface of your chosen medium. You don't need to bury them; just make sure they are in contact with the moist surface. Use a generous amount of seeds, as cress is typically grown densely.

Cover the Bowl (Optional): You can cover the bowl with another bowl or a clear plastic wrap to create a mini-greenhouse effect. This helps maintain moisture and warmth. If you cover the seeds, be sure to remove the cover once the seeds start to germinate to prevent mold growth.

Place in a Bright Location: Place the bowl in a spot that receives indirect sunlight. Direct sunlight can be too intense and might dry out the seeds too quickly.

Keep the Medium Moist: Keep the paper towels or cotton wool moist at all times. If using soil, water lightly whenever the surface feels dry. Avoid overwatering as cress roots are quite delicate.

Watch Them Grow: Cress seeds germinate very quickly, often within just a couple of days. You can start harvesting as soon as the plants are about 2 inches tall, which usually takes about one to two weeks.

Harvest: To harvest, simply snip the cress just above the root line with scissors. You can harvest what you need and allow the rest to continue growing, although cress is best eaten young.

Growing cress in a bowl is an easy and satisfying project, especially for those new to indoor gardening or teaching children about plant growth. Enjoy your fresh cress in a variety of dishes!

The urban gardening movement is a social and environmental initiative that encourages the cultivation of plants and food in densely populated urban areas. This movement has gained momentum in recent years, driven by a variety of factors including a desire for local and sustainable food sources, the need for green spaces within cities, community development, and concerns about food security.

Here are some key aspects of the urban gardening movement:

1. Community Gardens: These are shared spaces where people come together to grow fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Community gardens not only provide fresh produce but also serve as centers for community engagement, education, and social interaction.
2. Rooftop Gardens: Utilizing the often-underused space atop buildings, rooftop gardens can help reduce a building's temperature, improve air quality, and provide a green oasis in the concrete jungle. They can be used for food production or simply as recreational green spaces.
3. Vertical Gardens: In cities where horizontal space is limited, vertical gardening uses walls and other vertical surfaces to grow plants. This innovative approach can beautify urban environments, improve air quality, and even contribute to building insulation.  
4. Window Farms and Balcony Gardens: Urban dwellers with limited space can use window sills and balconies to grow herbs, vegetables, and ornamental plants. This small-scale gardening can contribute to personal well-being and reduce one's carbon footprint.
5. Guerrilla Gardening: This is a more activist-oriented aspect of urban gardening where individuals plant gardens in neglected public spaces, such as road medians and unused plots, often without official authorization. The goal is to transform these areas into green, productive spaces.
6. Edible Landscaping: This approach integrates food-producing plants into urban landscapes, turning ornamental gardens and public spaces into areas that also yield fruits and vegetables.  
7. Sustainability and Education: Urban gardening promotes sustainability by reducing food miles, encouraging composting, and using organic growing methods. Educational programs associated with urban gardens can teach community members about nutrition, food systems, and environmental stewardship.
8. Social Cohesion: Urban gardens often become communal spaces that foster a sense of belonging and collective responsibility. They can bridge diverse communities, providing a common ground for interaction and cooperation.
9. Economic Benefits: Urban gardening can help reduce grocery bills, create green jobs, and stimulate local economies through the sale of surplus produce.
10. Health and Well-being: Beyond providing fresh food, urban gardens offer mental and physical health benefits. Gardening activities can reduce stress, encourage physical activity, and provide a sense of achievement and connection to nature.

The urban gardening movement is characterized by its adaptability and innovation, finding ways to integrate green spaces into the urban fabric despite challenges such as limited space and soil contamination. It reflects a broader shift towards more sustainable and community-oriented urban living.

Growing flowers in your vegetable garden can provide a range of benefits that enhance the health, productivity, and beauty of the garden space. Here are some reasons why integrating flowers among vegetables is a good practice:

1. Pollinator Attraction: Flowers are excellent at attracting pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and birds. These pollinators are crucial for the fertilization of many vegetable plants, leading to better fruit and seed production.
2. Pest Control: Certain flowers can repel unwanted insects or attract beneficial insects that prey on common garden pests. For example, marigolds are known to repel nematodes and other pests, while flowers like calendula attract beneficial insects that consume aphids and other harmful pests.
3. Companion Planting: Some flowers, when planted alongside specific vegetables, can improve the growth and flavor of vegetables through companion planting. This can be due to various factors, including the deterrence of pests, improved soil health, and more efficient use of space.
4. Biodiversity: Incorporating a variety of flowers increases the garden's biodiversity, leading to a more resilient and balanced ecosystem. This diversity can help to reduce the incidence of diseases and pests while promoting a healthier, more vibrant garden environment. 
5. Soil Health: Some flowers, such as those from the legume family, can fix nitrogen in the soil, making it available to neighboring plants. This natural fertilization can reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and improve overall soil health.
6. Aesthetic Appeal: Beyond the practical benefits, flowers add beauty and color to vegetable gardens, making the space more enjoyable and inviting. This aesthetic appeal can enhance the gardening experience and even encourage more time spent in the garden, which can lead to better maintenance and care of the vegetable plants.
7. Cutting Garden: Growing flowers in your vegetable garden can also provide you with a ready supply of fresh flowers for bouquets and arrangements, adding a personal and decorative touch to your home.

By carefully selecting and positioning flowers within the vegetable garden, gardeners can create a harmonious and productive space that benefits from the unique advantages that flowers offer.

The text below has been adapted from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) website on the International Year of Millets.

2023 The International Year of Millets

With an ever-growing global population, the global food system faces many complex challenges, including hunger, malnutrition, limited natural resources and climate change. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger has designated 2023 as the Year of the Millets. The goal of FAO is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 members - 194 countries and the European Union, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

According to the FAO, a solution to the above challenges is to boost affordable and sustainable crop production, as well as increased consumer access to varied diets. Because of their diversity, millets are affordable sources of nutrients for healthy diets that can be cultivated in various adverse climates and arid regions with minimal external inputs.

The Food and Agriculture Organization promotion of 2023 as the International Year of Millets is an opportunity to raise global awareness of the multiple benefits of millets, from nutrition and health to environmental sustainability and economic development. On their website they state the “everyone has a role to play - from governments and private sector companies to the general public, including chefs, home cooks and youth. We need to work together to unleash the potential of millets for human and planetary health and well-being.

For more information about the International Year of the Millets visit:

https://www.fao.org/millets-2023/about/en