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HELPING YOUR GARDEN
GROW By MARG JACKSON
P
art of the University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, there are Master Gardeners and UCCE (University of California Cooperative Extension) Coordinators throughout the 209 area. Among them is Anne Schellman, who serves as the UCCE Master Gardener Coordinator for Stanislaus County. “The Master Gardeners we have number about 52, from all around the Stanislaus County area,” Schellman explained. “Other neighboring counties have their own programs and a coordinator like myself.”
She is a staff of one, but with the support of the Master Gardeners who are available on a regular basis to help people with all types of gardening questions and concerns. With the arrival of spring just around the corner on March 20, this is the perfect opportunity to review getting ready for spring planting, as well as learning some tips and tricks about how to make your garden – vegetables or flowers – grow. The 209 Magazine put together a “Q &A” format with Anne Schellman to cover some of the basics. WHAT IS A GOOD TIMELINE FOR PEOPLE IN OUR REGION TO FOLLOW TO GET READY FOR SPRING PLANTING?
Stanislaus County is a great place to grow food almost year-round. This year, soils are
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very wet, so wait until they dry out before working the soil. Working wet soil causes compaction and creates dirt clods that are difficult to break up later. To prepare the garden for vegetables, add 3-5” of compost and work it into the soil before planting. If adding manure, choose composted manure and
work it in a few weeks before planting. In February, plant beets, carrots, peas, leafy greens like lettuce, collards, and Swiss chard to harvest in spring. In late winter, start seeds indoors for crops like tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and cucumber so they are ready to plant in the garden in early April when soil is warm.
F E B R UA RY/MA R C H 2023
1/24/2023 10:12:17 AM