Gardening season is upon us. For some it is a way to cut down on the grocery bill, for other it is a way to test their survival skills, others it is just who they are (those people can be spotted by looking at their nails for a dirt manicure for half the year). I do not think that I am qualified for even a novice gardener class at this stage in my life, but here is what I have learned so far from my feeble attempts at a vegetable garden the last 6 years.

Good gardens begin with good soil. We like to compost at our house. We keep a 5 gallon bucket in the kitchen for any biodegradable food scraps. Take compost bucket out at least twice a week to keep from smelling. Rinse out with the hose outside. Compost piles need water, heat, green material, and brown material. Heat comes from leaving the pile along at times and letting the organisms in the pile break down the material. Water can be added to keep things moist within the pile. Too much green material (food scraps, fresh grass clippings, etc) and your pile starts to smell. Too much brown material (shredded newspaper, chopped up dry leaves, etc.) and nothing breaks down. Composting is all about balance (or buying compost from the store). Manure is another great option, if you have access to it. Stick with manure from animals who are herbivores; mix in to your existing soil. To truly test your soil, utilize a soil testing kit.

You can either start your own plants inside, buy them from a nursery, or steal them from a friend’s house when they are not looking (although in most areas of the country it is only acceptable to steal a zucchini seedling). If you choose to start your plants inside, do not plan on transplanting any plants outside until Memorial Day at the earliest (some people say to wait until the first week of June, unless you want to cover plants every night).

Now find out what you want to plant. In Big Sandy, we are in zone 4a. Look at the seed packet to find out details on planting information and what zones the plants will grow in. Grow what you and your family like to eat. (If no one is a fan of brussel sprouts then don’t waste the space in your garden.) On the back of a seed package, it also usually says how long it takes for seeds to germinate. If a seed package says it takes 6 weeks to germinate, counting backward from Memorial Day (May 27th 2024) would tell you to start your seedlings indoors around April 15th 2024. Some seeds may even be started now (peppers especially).

When starting seedlings indoors, make sure that they have adequate light and are not too close to a cold drafty area (lookin’ at you, open window). If you have hard water, consider saving rainwater to give plants that extra boost of nitrogen when they start out. Do not overwater seedlings; only water when soil is dry and make sure whatever container you start them in has drainage for extra water to escape and a tray under it, to catch said water. Consistently water seedlings and marvel at how quickly they grow.

Before transplanting any seedlings outside, one should harden them off. Too often this step is missed and plants that were thriving inside, die quickly when planted outside. This is also recommended when planting seedlings bought at a nursery. Put an oscillating fan on seedlings to get them used to wind, put them outside for a few hours per day on warm days so that they don’t get sunburned when planted, etc. Watch out for any animals that may be around who might mess with your seedlings (not today, Mr Whiskers).

Plan out your garden; if something likes full sun, make sure that it will not be shaded by what you plant next to it when that is full grown, add trellises for green beans/peas, etc. Transplant seedlings based on planting directions on package or directly sow any seeds that require direct sowing. Keep watering regularly and enjoy the fruits of your labor (or, more likely in Montana, the vegetables with your labor). If frost is still looming once seedlings are transplanted, cover plants. You may utilize a milk jug with the bottom cut off, use old bedsheets to cover entire rows, or purchase a “wall of water”, which helps to insulate individual plants when temperatures dip.

Lastly is to remember that gardening is a journey; you learn something new every season and the learning process is meant to be enjoyed. When in doubt, call your local extension office (406) 622-3751, talk to someone you know with a nice garden, or look it up on the internet (the last way being the least effective for finding out specific information about gardening in and around Big Sandy, Montana). Happy Gardening!