In the past month or so, Greenwood has had some roller coaster weather. One weekend it will be sunny and warm, the next weekend there will be a freak snowstorm — who knew what to expect?
But now it seems spring is here to stay, and with such an early Easter, it may have snuck up on many people.
For all those green thumbs out there, right now is the time to get started on your gardens, according to Martin Tribble, who runs the Old Time Farmers Market, along with his brother, Harry Ray Tribble.
"Pretty much all plants can be planted now. It’s a good time to plant before it gets hot and dry. Plants are a lot easier to establish now," Tribble explained.
Jennifer Houston of Delta Feed Co. said she has noticed an increased interest in gardening lately, mostly brought on by increased food prices.
"The biggest boost is the price of groceries. People want to raise their own produce now," Houston said.
She said another factor that has created more local interest in growing is the new Downtown Greenwood Farmers Market, which many people, including her family members, are very excited about.
"The farmers market will be right across the street from us. Hopefully we’ll be really involved," Houston said.
Whether your plants of choice are vegetables, herbs, flowers or trees, there’s not a better time to get started than right now.
Tribble said the number one vegetable to grow in this area is tomato, which is probably no surprise to local gardeners. Some other common choices are cucumbers, squash, okra, eggplant and peppers.
He said peas and butterbeans also grow well in this are but are not as popular.
"They take more area is the main reason, and they’re a little more work, too," Tribble said.
Tribble said some of the gardening trends he has seen recently include ornamental trees and grasses, herbs and container gardening.
Container gardening, meaning plants that are grown in pots or raised beds, has grown in popularity because of its convenience. Potted plants are good for people who are renting their homes, have a small yard area or want to decorate their patio or porch.
Tribble said size is key when using pots and beds because they must be large enough to allow for adequate root development. Otherwise, containers are quite versatile.
"People would be surprised — most plants do well in a container," Tribble said.
Herbs, which also are becoming more common around the yard, are good for growing in containers.
While some people grow herbs in their garden as decorative or fragrant plants, Tribble said the main reason is for cooking. Sweet basil, thyme, oregano and rosemary are popular choices.
Ornamental grasses include species such as maiden grass, zebra grass, pampas grass and purple fountain grass. These plants can be used as borders or to provide focal points in landscaping.
Japanese maple and flowering cherry trees are common types of ornamental trees. Tribble said in the South there also is a demand for large shade trees.
After the plants have been selected, the next problem many people are worried about these days is how to maintain their garden without harming the environment.
Composting is a cheap and easy way to fertilize a garden naturally. According to www.compostguide.com, using compost improves soil structure, texture and aeration; increases the soil’s water-holding capacity; improves fertility; and stimulates healthy root development in plants.
Anyone can start a compost pile. Just find a discreet, but accessible, area of the lawn. It can be small, and really should be no larger than about three feet across.
Any organic matter can go into the compost pile. Leaves and other yard clippings, shredded newsprint and dryer lint are all acceptable. Kitchen scraps, such as coffee grounds, egg shells and fruit and vegetable pieces, are good. Meat and milk products, however, should stay in the trash.
Even manure from farm animals can be used in compost, although cat and dog droppings are not recommended.
Once the materials are allowed to decompose, they will leave behind a dark, rich substance that can be mixed with soil as needed throughout the garden.
Another issue that concerns earth-friendly gardeners is water use.
"At some point down here we’ll have a period of dry weather. One way to save on fertility and drainage is to pick things that don’t require as much water," Tribble said.
He also recommends using mulch to keep plants from drying out and installing a drip irrigation system as opposed to sprinklers.
The Eartheasy Web site offers several other tips for saving water, including collecting rain water for later use and watering plants early in the morning to prevent loss from evaporation.
Once your spring garden starts blooming, a recent article from the Mississippi State University Extension Service recommends taking some photos of the plants. Keeping a photo album about when and where flowers, vegetables and other plants grew will help with planting and expanding next year’s garden.
