Q: I like to use seeds to grow my own vegetables. I see that the catalog season is approaching and it is easy to be overwhelmed by many choices. Any tips to organize everything and make an informed decision?
A: Peruse the flawless pictures and delicious descriptions. When we dream of our gardening adventure next year, temptations abound. I can't resist browsing their pages to find ideas; alas, there is never enough room to develop all of this.
Choose your favorite crop varieties with the best resistance to diseases and insect pests. Then, further narrow your choices by looking at the characteristics that suit your growing conditions and preferences, including the time between planting and harvesting and the suitability of a container or small space garden.
If your budget is tight or you just don't need many seeds of any one variety (especially if you just want to try new varieties), please consider trading with friends or participating in a seed exchange (seed exchange). The National Seed Exchange Day is held on the last Saturday of January each year, and the gathering is usually free and open to the public and held across the country. If you grow open-pollinated varieties (non-hybrid varieties), you can also easily preserve seeds from highly self-fertilizing crops such as beans, peas, lettuce, and tomatoes.
We have multiple Maryland Grows blog posts about seed catalogs, seed costs, starting seeds indoors, and vegetable garden planning; search for "seed catalogs" to start using a series of interrelated articles. There is also a vegetable planting calendar page on our website, where you can check the planting or transplanting time of each crop.
Q: What do you recommend that I wear when doing gardening work? Next year I will finally have some external space to play, but I am a novice and I am not sure what factors to consider.
A: As with many things, it largely depends on your comfort level and preference for preparation. For example, if you are sensitive to poisonous ivy sap and do not know whether there is poisonous ivy sap in your yard, long sleeves are a wise move. Sturdy shoes, such as sports shoes or hiking boots, are most comfortable when digging because the soles of the feet are under pressure; in addition, they are more stable on uneven ground.
Fabric gardening gloves are always a good idea, not just because you may not want dirt under your nails or sap sticking to your skin. Gloves can at least prevent irritating plant sap, thorny stems and thorny weeds, accidental spider bites or insect bites, buried construction waste, bacteria in wildlife faeces, and any other accidents you might encounter , Harmful or simple and crude items when digging, grabbing and entering spaces you can’t see.
I like to carry a hip holster for pruning shears with me; they can be made of leather or fabric. The holster keeps the pruning shears closed, the blades are protected so you don’t cut yourself, and you can also pay close attention to the tools to avoid losing them. I put my strap loop on a water bottle sleeve because gardening can be a thirsty job, which also keeps the water ready.
A wide-brimmed hat is very important for sun protection. I like products with ventilation nets to increase breathability. If you wear long-sleeved clothes or use tick repellent, check your skin at the end of the day, because tick-borne diseases are easier to prevent than after infection. Don't think that if you don't see the deer, you think there are no ticks in the yard.
As with any sportswear, the use of moisture-wicking fabrics and fabrics can help regulate temperature changes and sweat during exercise.
The Family and Garden Information Center of the University of Maryland Extension Department provides free gardening and pest information at extension.umd.edu/hgic. Click "Ask Extension" to send questions and photos.