Gardening Ideas: Preparing for Spring on a Snow Day

For some reason, the winter season of 2006-2007 seems longer than usual this year. In the northeast and central parts of the country, people have been dealing with snow and winter storms constantly. In parts of the Midwest, there was very little snow until the end of February. Just when Midwesterners were thinking they wouldn't get much snow, and started to think about spring, the snow came. Snow advisory after winter storm warning is occurring in many parts of the country.

As we were preparing for the most recent winter storm, I had an inspiration: Why not prepare for spring even as the snow is accumulating outside? In the morning, just as the flurries were starting, I hustled my kids to the store to pick up some potting soil. We purchased some seeds and, using my plant containers from last year, made a planting day in the basement.

Planting indoors is great for several reasons:

1. By purchasing gardening supplies in March, you always save money over peek season prices. Every item I bought for my planting endeavors was at least 30% off of the regular price.

2. Planting seeds instead of buying mature plants later in the season, is a huge money-saver. For example, where I live I would pay $1.50 per mature pepper plant if I bought it at a greenhouse in June. However, buying a package of seeds, which plants approximately 30 pepper plants, costs about $1.45. Also, a mature tomato plant in the summer costs around $3.00. A package of seeds, enough for 15 plants, costs $1.55.

3. Planting indoors alleviates spring fever. This is unscientific research to be sure, but getting my hands into the dirt and working with seeds helps me feel better about the mountains of white outside of my window. It's like a ship approaching a deserted island signaling, "Help is on the way!"

4. Starting plants indoors gives you a great jump on the season. While everyone else is frantically combing the greenhouses, doling out large sums of money for plants that were grown with pesticides and chemicals, all you have to do is get your plants from your basement and head to your back yard. Who wants to be at the store when you can be out in your own yard?

5. Growing plants is an excellent activity to do with your children. My two-year-old was thrilled to get to "play in the dirt" in the basement in the dead of winter. He helped scoop dirt, drop in the seeds and cover them up. It's a great way to spend quality time with your kids when you feel trapped inside.

Just because winter seems extra long and tedious this year, does not mean that you can't do something now to prepare for spring. Run to the store and pick up some seeds, potting soil, and a plant starter flat. The whole purchase will set you back about $10-12. Not bad for a day of fun, getting a head-start on summer.