From eu.mycentraljersey.com
It is official! We are in the mid-winter doldrums.
The days seem to be continuously cloudy and gray, and although the weather forecasters keep talking about the daylight hours growing longer, it is difficult to notice when it’s merely a minute a day. Yes, this is the time of year to think of springtime and prepare for those outdoor activities to come.
It may sound old-fashioned, but if you are not doing so already, you may wish to consider taking up writing a diary for 2021. Whether it is gardening, exercise, a new diet or something else that requires recording dates or amounts, a diary is a very handy tool.
In addition, January is a great time to reread your thoughts from last year. As a gardener, it is good to note new plants that excelled or those that failed to live up to expectations. It is also good to note the weather conditions, as that can readily impact the end results. If you are seeding out vegetables or flowering plants indoors under lights, keeping track of time is important.
For example, did the seed germinate in the time indicated on the package and did you start the seed too early or late for the seedlings to be ready for containers or the garden? Obviously, the first year it is based upon your research, but in the years to follow, your diary will contain all the secrets you need!
Although we are still several weeks away from starting plants from seed, now is the time to order seed! In fact, I have been hearing from other gardeners that some seed is already sold out! If this is your first year at gardening, this may not be such a hardship, as you can substitute in another plant without hesitation. However, if you are a veteran gardener, not growing your favorite tomato can be a huge disappointment!
If tomatoes happen to be one of your favorite vegetables, consider registering for "Coffee Talk for Home Gardeners – Let’s Talk Tomatoes!" by going to bit.ly/3611hjj. The event is held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Feb. 6. The program will inspire you to try new varieties and provide information on choosing the right tomato for your tastes and needs.
A diary is great for notes about plants and seeding, but it is also important for keeping track of your soil. Gardeners and Farmers alike have become increasingly aware of the need to keep soil healthy so it in turn can support healthy soil life. Initially, it was understood that topsoil contained organic matter in the form of humus, combined with sand, silt and clay, but no one realized the degree to which soil was "alive" with beneficial microorganisms.
One gram of soil, a pinch, conservatively contains 1 billion organisms. These organisms help your plants to grow and flourish, indicating how important it is to learn more about your soil and get it tested every two to three years. To keep this soil life flourishing, it is important to know the acidity vs. alkalinity of the soil, the soil type and the existing fertility of the soil. The Soil Testing Laboratory can bring all of the information to your fingertips. See bit.ly/2NfjSkY for information on testing and remember to note the test results and the year it was conducted in your diary.
January is also a month when it is too easy to become stationary in our favorite comfortable chair, preventing us from getting the needed exercise for a balanced and healthy life style. This healthy life style should actually begin during the childhood years. The 4-H youth development program invites all members in grades 4-6 to join the From Home Step Club "My Body and Me." The focus is to learn how to maintain a healthy body while doing interactive and engaging activities.
Go to bit.ly/38ZtfOi if your children are 4-H members for information on this Step Club. Otherwise, consider signing your son or daughter up for the 4-H program, which uses a learn-by-doing approach to teach children how to become competent and contributing citizens of the world. This too is something to record in your diary as your children respond and grow while learning life skills through 4-H programs.
Recipes are always appropriate for a diary! After all, who does not enjoy partaking in some nutritious and delicious food! If you enjoy soup, join Jennifer Korneski at noon Jan. 26 by going to bit.ly/2Y4PfAN
Jennifer will be making a chicken provencal soup, perfect for a winter’s day. Or, perhaps your fancy is a plate of delicious deviled eggs. Join Jennifer again at 11 a.m. Jan. 29 by going to bit.ly/3611nrb for this free event.
As the days lengthen ever so gradually, gardeners find solace in preparing for spring. In addition, we can also take up a new habit to make gardening or any other new found activity more enjoyable with less guesswork. Dear diary...
Bruce Crawford is the program leader in home and public horticulture at Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative Extension of Somerset County. Email him at bcrawf@sebs.rutgers.edu.
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