Gardeners say patience, trial and error keys to growing

By Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree REPORTER

Just over a decade ago, Roodhouse resident Sandy Bettis started her own gardens, growing plants under florescent lights in her basement.

Since then, her small productionhasgrowninto a full greenhouse.

Though, she said she still feels like a beginner some days.

“I’m constantly learning something new, or asking for advice from others,” Bettis said.

Sandy’s Seedlings in Roodhouse provides started flowers, plants and vegetables for growers that gardeners can transfer over into their gardens or pots.

Bettis said her business started with just a few plantsinherbasementunder florescent lights 13 years ago with the help of family members who have experience growing plants.

Bettissaidthatalthough she has more experience now, she still seeks the help of others when she runs into something she isn’t familiar with, while also trying to help those that come into her greenhouse looking for plants.

Ken Johnson, the horticulture educator of the University of Illinois Extension Office in Jacksonville, said more people are getting into gardening, especially as more is being done to encourage urban growing.

The types of plants available now are more small-space friendly than some other plants.

“We are seeing more compact-type plants,” Johnson said. “These plants are shorter, or more compact and take up less space, which is beneficial to those without a lot of space. As yards get smaller, we are smaller gardens.”

For those just starting their garden, Johnson said one of the first steps is to learn about your garden— your spacing, the amount ofsunlight/shade,thetype of soil.

“Some plants need a full eight hours of sunlight, while there are others that thrive in the shade,” Johnson said. “You need to make sure it is relatively well drained because you don’t want water to stand because that can lead to disease.”

Johnson said he recommendshavingsoiltestedin ordertodetermineanynutrient needs.

And he said it is important to plan for the future of the garden to determine spacing.

“Whenyouplanthegarden,plansshouldbebased ontheexpectedfull-grown size of a plant in order to avoid a garden to become overgrown,” Johnson said.

Bettis said growing plants is a science with a bit of luck.

In order to have a successful garden. Bettis said know the weather and

whatplantsgrowbestdur-

ing that season and when to start them, whether as a seed or small plant being transferred in.

Each year, she said she triestofollowmethodsshe knows work and practices that have helped create the strongest, healthiest plants.

And each year, somethingcouldgowrongand she has to find a way to adapt.

Whether is a new soil that needs more nutrients than a previous brand, or a season that isn’t as sunny, Bettis said a gardener has to be able to take some hits and keep going to find the best solution for their garden.

Johnson suggested some sturdier plants for beginners, as they take less work than some others. Vegetables like lettuce, peas, broccoli and potatoes are relatively low maintenance.

After starting, Johnson said it is important to study the garden, whether testing the soil or finding out if there are issues with pests or disease and addressingissuesassoon as possible.

Grow continues on A18