March 20- Spring in Here

This is the time of year when Northerners start dreaming of gardening season. A bit different than 'southern' gardeners as it is still -20C outside, frozen ice and tons of snow still falling in Inuvik. Officially, though it is the weekend that spring begins (March 20, 2016). So what should Inuvik gardeners be thinking about when dreaming about their summer gardens?!

Here are a few tips to make sure you are on track with your March or 'spring' gardening plans:

1. Check in with the Inuvik Greenhouse and make sure your volunteer hours are completed from the previous year and confirm that you will be continuing your garden for the upcoming season. #1 on this list as you need to make sure you have a garden plot to work with!

2. Start collecting seeds and making your seed orders. My favourite is Vesey's seeds in PEI but many people I know also use West Coast Seeds. Pick easy varieties, varieties where you will get a good yield and varieties that are good for small space gardening (be efficient with your space when planning).

3. If you plan on starting seeds at your house, don't start until April! New gardeners always start seeds to early and these are the people that rush their plants into the Inuvik Greenhouse on opening weekend just to get them out of their house! You don't need to start lettuce, peas, etc in your house either; this will really make you look like a newbie!

 

Finally, there are a few things you can still be doing to support your own Northern food security. Really be working to clean out your freezer of previous year produce and garden treats. I still have tons of frozen greens and I need these used up before the new season begins. Share with your friends if need be. My mom gave me a seed sprouter also and I am loving eating sprouts right now. Don't use the jars and screens method for this, invest in a sprouter!!! Now that the sun is back it is taking about 2 days to get a 'crop' of seeds ready for eating (don't use direct sunlight though).

So yes, start planning and thinking of your garden and take on a few early season tasks but no need to dive right into gardening just yet. Enjoy the sun and get outside, don't sit inside waiting for seeds to sprout just yet!

S.