President’s Corner

 

As a gardener, you have probably heard people say, “There isn’t anything to do in the winter.”  I find that is far from the actuality.  As a gardener, I’m just about as busy during the winter as any other time of the year.  But instead of working outside in my garden as much as usual, I am planning my garden for the upcoming spring and summer.  What do I want to plant again?  What new plants interest me?  Do I want to move some of the existing plants?  Do I want to install structures to help my vegetables to grow and produce better – such as climbing trellises?

Next, there is looking at seed catalogues, which offer so many possibilities.  For the past few months, we have asked people to submit articles about their favorite plant to grow – whether vegetables, fruit, or flowers.  What do you like to grow?  Why?  I encourage you to write a short article and share your thoughts with others.  We can learn so much from each other.  It is easier to try something new if we have heard from another gardener and what they think about it.  If you are interested in writing an article, please email me barbaralow@msn.com.

Last year we were a part of the Plant a Row project and gave the extra food to Access to disseminate to needy families in our community.  We are planning on participating in the Plant a Row project again.  All we ask is that you plant an extra vegetable plant or row in your garden.  Produce from that plant or row is brought to the SOREC Extension parking lot, and we will bring it to Access.  Please consider being a part of this important project.

On top of all that, there is pruning to be done – fruit trees, cane berries, roses, shrubs, etc.

This is the time of year when I tend to read more gardening books.  Have you read a gardening book about which you’d like to write a review in our Garden Beet?  It’s a time to share what you have learned and maybe help others with their gardens.

There are several Community Education classes being offered at the SOREC Extension and via Zoom this year.  You can check the SOREC website and the OSU Education website.

• Click here for a list of programs and to see what is offered.
• Click here for a list of upcoming events and classes

As gardeners, we tend to spend a lot of time with our gardens – planning, preparing, tending, harvesting, enjoying, solving problems, being creative.  For me, it is physical and mental therapy. Though I may not be as physically active in the garden this time of the year, I am still a very active gardener.

Happy Gardening!