As spring creeps up on us, Boise gardeners get ready to get their hands in the dirt. While it’s recommended that you don’t start planting until around Mother’s Day, now is the perfect time for you to start preparing for a season of fresh produce, vibrant flowers, and sustainable living. Here are a couple of tips on how to plan your plants.
If you want a head start on your garden, the middle of March, or around 4-8 weeks before planting outdoors is the time to begin growing seeds indoors. Vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and squash benefit from an early start in a warm environment before moving outdoors. All you need are seed trays, some light (artificial or sun), and some patience. This method not only extends the growing season but also saves money compared to buying pre-grown plants.
Whether you have a backyard, a balcony, or just a sunny windowsill, planning your planting space is key. Consider what you want to grow, fast, hardy crops like radishes and lettuce are ideal for beginners, while potatoes and carrots do well in Idaho’s soil. If you have limited space to work with, you could even consider raised beds, container gardening, or even vertical gardens that can maximize yield.
In addition to planning out your garden and starting seeds, preparing your growing spaces beforehand might make things easier in the long run. Right now is a great time to prepare garden beds by pulling weeds and mixing in compost. Both the Idaho Botanical Gardens and The WaterShed give free compost to residents for free.
For students looking to make a larger impact, community gardens and urban farming initiatives provide hands-on experience and a way to connect with others. Boise has several community gardens, such as the Boise Urban Garden School, also called BUGS, where volunteers can learn sustainable growing techniques while contributing to local food networks. Even if you don’t like eating your fruits and vegetables, you can join initiatives to plant native flowers to support Idaho’s pollinators. Sunflowers, milkweed, and lavender attract bees and butterflies, helping to maintain local ecosystems.
Gardening is a great way to unwind, engage with the environment, reduce food waste, improve mental health, and of course eat fresh food. Whether you’re starting a backyard garden, growing herbs in your garden box, or joining a community effort, now is the time to plan for an epic planting season. While you might not be able to plant your garden just yet, the work you put in now will pay off soon.
