Garden Wisdom from Farm Mom Gloria Varney

June: Such a wonderful month!

By now, hopefully you have picked up your seeds and seedlings and have either begun planning and planting a garden or are getting ready. My children have started their seeds-watermelon, summer squash, broccoli, lettuce, and even some carrots. They continue checking daily and have contests to see whose seedlings are biggest and prettiest. In the end, I tell them the proof is in the fruit it bears-encouragement and incentive for them to continue to pay attention to their plants.

Some time saving techniques as you get ready to plant your seed:

1. Mulch all of your seedlings and pathways. You can use straw, mulch hay, grass clippings and leaves. Mulching does several things: it helps prevent weeds from coming through, (my kids like this benefit the most), it helps retain moisture and therefore saves on watering time and, in the end, the mulch becomes part of the soil as it continues to compost throughout the summer and further nourishes the soil.
2. If planting tomatoes, we use one or two recycled tires stacked on top of each other as a trellis. The black tire attracts more heat, which tomatoes truly love.

Here in Maine, June also represents strawberries, the first greens such as spinach, kale, collards and, my favorite, beet greens. I know you will not have problems getting your kids to eat strawberries, but with the others, try introducing them on fresh homemade pizza that they help prepare.

As for strawberries, if you are into making jam, I find I get better results by first freezing the berries and then thawing them out when there is more time. When thawing, drain and reserve the juice for jelly and then use the berries for jam following the recipe on the pectin box.

I hope your container gardens are off to a good start. Remember, as you harvest some of the greens from around the base, you can continue to add new seedlings or seeds to the pot.

One last note: Visit your local farmers market to help your children understand the importance of knowing where your food comes from.

Happy Gardening!