COLUMBUS — Gardening can be a bit of trial and error, especially for beginners.
Jerry Killham is about to find that out as he tries his hand at growing vegetables in the Columbus Community Garden.
He and other family members are giving gardening a try this year, and started prepping his plot of land this week by planting potatoes.
With the warm weather experienced earlier this spring, several gardeners have reaped the benefits. They were able to plant some vegetables last month and have been enjoying them already.
Joyce Strnad planted radishes March 20 and has picked a few.
Other vegetables that the veteran gardener has been able to plant are also peeking through the dirt in her plot in the Community Garden.
Organizers in charge of the Community Garden are suggesting that people start their planting on May 15. For newcomers to the horticulture world, local master gardeners held a question and answer event this week at the garden to give advice.
Master Gardener Peg Wurdinger gave the following recommendations to those who are starting a garden of their own.
n Start small: You might be gung-ho now to begin your garden, but don’t let that enthusiasm go overboard by creating a garden plot that is too big for you to handle. Wurdinger said a plot measuring six feet by eight feet is a good size to start with.
n Consider a container garden: If space is an issue, look to grow lettuce, tomatoes and other veggies in baskets and planters.
“I have onions and lettuce growing in containers on my patio,” Wurdinger said.
n Grow what you like to eat: It seems like a no-brainer, but you want to be able to enjoy the vegetables that you do grow, so plant your favorites.
n Add flowers for color: If you are a flower lover, include a few in your garden. Some flowers actually are beneficial to plant along side vegetables because they can attract helpful insects and deter pests.
Plots available: Two plots in the Columbus Community Garden, 370 10th Ave., are still available. Applications can be picked up at First United Methodist Church Christian Center, 2472 32nd Ave., in the Northtown Mall.
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