Planting Time

Dear Gardeners,

Spring is finally here, I think? With the weather being so unseasonably cold, you now understand why our frost date is May 15. Still, you can start gardening, hanging baskets and potted plants can be purchased now. I would suggest that you purchase the bulk of your flowers before or near Mother’s Day, only because this gives you a better variety to choose from.

If we do have a cold night, baskets and potted plants can be taken in easily, but if you have tender plants in the ground or seeds that have begun to sprout, you will need to cover these. Old sheets or newspapers work great. Use small rocks or something heavy enough to hold down sheets, so they do not blow away. Never use plastic, it will suffocate your plants and they will die. In the morning when the sun comes up, uncover the plants so they can breathe and warm up.

Before going to the greenhouse have a plan or design for your garden and a list of plants that you desire. Here are a few basic rules.

Number one never buy your plants from
a store that is not a reputable greenhouse.

You would not buy your car from a grocery store would you? Like they say, you get what you pay for. I’m not saying that you can’t get a bargain. If you go to Home depot or Wal-mart and you ask the person working there a question about a plant, they probably will not be able to answer your question. Chances are you will not be satisfied with your purchase. Look for a grower or greenhouse in your area, especially if you’re a beginner.

Number two, never purchase a plant that was
not grown in the area that you are going to plant it.

Many greenhouses grow plants that will bloom and flower for the summer, but come winter time they will die and not come back the following year. For example, any tropical plant or annual will only bloom and grow for that season. If you are looking for plants that will come back year after year you need to stay with perennials that grow in your zone or area. I love annuals and tropical plants, but I know unless I winter indoors, I have to say good-bye to them come fall.

Number three, never be afraid to ask questions.

If the greenhouse you choose is one of good reputation, the workers there should be able to answer your question. If you don’t know, ask, and then you will be able to enjoy your purchases. Always check the tag in the plants and read sunlight and growing conditions, and if you still have a question, just ask. They should be happy to help.

Now that you have your plants purchased and home, the fun begins. To me, this is therapy. I make a day of it. I devote a day to planting. I make a pot of coffee. I bring my portable CD player into the yard with my favorite praise and worship music. I gather all my tools, and I leave the phone in the house. Sometimes, I invite a friend to help, but usually, this is my day to be in the garden and to meditate and just give thanks to the Lord. This is a day I look forward to almost as much as, and if not more than, Thanksgiving or New Years Day. (I celebrate these days a little different than most. These are days I spend with my Lord.)

I start early and usually my husband has to drag me in at the end of the day. I get such a peace and joy from planting and growing a garden. God started this planet with a garden. Jesus talked much about sowing and reaping. In Mark 4:13 he said if you know this parable, you would understand all things. I’ve learned so many things from planting and growing a garden. I had a great teacher, my great grandmother, she would always refer to God’s Word as we planted and grew the flowers and vegetables.

I encourage you to read Mark 4
and plant a garden this year and see
how much you learn from it.

I’m sure you will be delightfully surprised at how much you will see Mark 4 is so many areas of your life. You’ll see it in sowing and in reaping and in watering. You water others so that you may also be watered (2 Col. 9:10-11). You discover how everything has a time and a season (Eccl. 3:1) It will help you to have a closer relationship with the Lord. Just the other day I saw a gardening figure and these words were on it, “You can bury a lot of troubles in the dirt.” I smiled and thought about how the Lord went to the garden to pray and to speak with his Father when the weight of the world’s troubles weighed heavily on his mind. Jesus found peace to face the cross for us there. One of the things I enjoy the most about my garden is that everyday, usually morning, I get to be alone with my Father God as I water or weed or just gather flowers or vegetables for a friend or myself. I just have that time to speak with Him. I find His peace there. I hope that you will find it too.

If you have any gardening questions, contact us at info@center31.com.

Until next time, remember…He who plants a garden today, believes in tomorrow.

Monica Dunlap