Planning for Spring...

by Amy Cyman

As I sat at the kitchen table a few mornings ago watching the snow fall (again), I realized that I had been thinking non-stop about my garden since I put my head on the pillow the night before.  This, for me, is the one true sign that I am OVER winter.  There is always a moment in the dark days of January or February when I simply can't think of anything besides that glorious feeling I get when I pull out the gloves and shovel and start to turn over the soil in preparation for the seasons seeds and seedlings.

I pull out the garden journal, sift through the remains of what I didn't finish adding in about last year's successes and failures, and turn to a bright, clean, new page...full of possibilities.  Should I try just herbs in that terraced garden this year?  The zucchini didn't exactly prosper there.  I definitely need more garlic, and luckily last fall I put in quadruple the amount thanks to my friend donating her leftover bulbs.  I'm hoping the calendula that started to self-seed in the warm, late fall may possibly have fought through the snows - but even if it didn't I'm sure there are more seeds hiding just below the surface, ready to fulfill my desire for more bright, sunny blooms.

No matter what thoughts you might have of your soon-to-be-awakening garden, here are a few of my favorite resources that I find myself turning to time after time:

Pinterest - Honestly, whatever you want to know about you can find in Technicolor over at Pinterest.  If you don't have an account, go get one and spend the next few hours of your life falling down the rabbit hole!

John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds - You can look at this online, but they have one of the loveliest catalogs around, and an amazing selection of Heirloom and organic seeds.  Their purple garlic is the previously mentioned fall planting!

Mountain Rose Herbs - Oh, how I love herbs!  And here they are...ready to buy for culinary or medicinal use or in seed form to plant and enjoy.

Little Green Fingers - For those of us who love getting the little ones in on the fun.

What are your favorite resources?