DRIVERS WANTED

no wider than three to four feet (you want to be able to get to the center with ease) and as long as you like or space allows. Your location and the type of soil will determine what to add to your beds. A trip to the local garden center will provide you with answers and the tools you need.

With more space you can add variety and more plants. Some of my favorite garden plants are:

Tomatoes, eggplant, arugula, cabbage (yum sauerkraut!), sugar snap peas, zucchini, pumpkin, asparagus, potatoes, green beans, rhubarb (perennial), fruit trees (apple, pear), peppers, lettuce – varieties, variety of herbs (basil, thyme, sage, lemon balm, etc.).

Growing a garden year after year, no matter the type, needs a garden journal. This way you can be certain of the type of seeds or plants you used, the soil and fertilizer used, location of plants, the weather (especially last frost and if it was a rainy season) and more. I always enjoy planning and plotting my garden on paper in early spring. This way you make sure what plants to purchase and when to start the seedlings indoors.

Create a “symbol key” such as T for tomatoes, Z for zucchini, P for peppers, etc. as you plot locations.

A sketch of your garden will help in future planning especially with crop rotation. Initially you may want to jot down information daily as the spring garden is fast growing. Once established you may want to jot your notes weekly or bi-weekly.

Record pest information such as potato bugs or tomato worms. Do not forget harvest information such as yield from certain plants if using a variety. If you have questions, write them here as well.

Take your journal when visiting a fellow gardener or trip to the garden shop. And always take pictures. It is so much fun looking at gardens of the past.

Deborah Dittner is a family nurse practitioner and health consultant. Her mission is to transform as many individuals as possible through nutrition and lifestyle changes. For more information, check out her website at www.debdittner. com or contact her at 518-596-8565.

No heavy lifting. Drivers are required to have a dependable vehicle, be courteous and reliable. We audit all areas of distribution. Call 315-749-7070