"ARMCHAIR" GARDENING
By: Virgil L. Jones, Master Gardener

Because of the heavy snows and freezing temperatures during much of January, it has actually been a good gardening month for many gardeners. I am speaking of the ones called "armchair" gardeners--and there are many of us. During these past cold, miserable winter evenings, it has been the perfect time to browse through gardening catalogues that have been flooding the mailbox, or to surf the net for good sources of garden plants, seeds and equipment. The only problem is that there is so much available both in the catalogues and on the net that it is very difficult to decide what you want to purchase. Of course, you always want much more than your budget, time, space and energy will permit, but the process of finalizing your selections and sending in your orders makes for some very pleasant "armchair" gardening.

There is still time to place orders either through the catalogues or by email, but don't delay too much longer because selections of some items are limited, and before you realize it, the time to start gardening in earnest will be upon you.

That means getting your garden sites ready for planting by cleaning out last year's debris, raking leaves, spading, roto-tilling, etc., and having the soil tested to see what additional supplements and nutrients, such as compost and fertilizers, are needed. Now is really the best time to have your soil tested before the "spring rush" begins.

It is traditional for many gardeners to plant their garden peas and sweet peas on Valentine's Day, February 14th, and Irish potatoes on St. Patrick's Day, March 17th. While these dates may be somewhat early, peas and potatoes do need to be planted early in the season because they are cool weather crops--as are cabbage, brocolli, cauliflower and lettuce--and will not produce well when the weather becomes too warm. There are many other plants and herbs that prefer cool weather so need to be planted early in the season. If you are not familiar with growth habits of those plants, there are many excellent gardening books, web sites, and of course gardening catalogues that can give you information on proper planting times.

Speaking of web sites, our own Jasper County Extension Office has an excellent website where all kinds of information is available, including the articles written by Master Gardeners that have appeared in the Joplin Globe. Their website is: http://extension.missouri.edu/jasper/. If you are looking for past Joplin Globe articles, bring up Educational Opportunities, then Lawn & Garden. If you would like to have access to many of Missouri University bulletins dealing with gardening as well as other subjects, you can log on to their site at: http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/hort/index/htm. Many of these guides can then printed out.

If you are not on mailing lists for garden catalogues you can order them from the net or place your orders via email, and there are many, many sites where nursery stock, flowers, shrubs, herbs and vegetables, both plants and seeds, are available. Of course, these items will be available locally at garden centers, but often their selections are limited, and what you are looking for might be obtainable only by ordering from catalogues or via email.

One of the better web sites for obtaining lists of nurseries or other gardening items is: http://www.gardenbazaar.com/. If, for instance, you are looking for sources on roses, you will find nurseries that specialize in all kinds of roses, from antique, hybrid teas, English, etc., as well as information on growing and caring for them.

If you are planning a new garden, there are many software programs that can assist you, giving all necessary information on landscaping, specialized gardens, such as water gardens, and other pertinent details. By using these programs, you can save much time and avoid costly mistakes when creating or redesigning your landscape.

While gardening is still done much the same as it has been for many, many generations, by taking advantage of the latest technology, your knowledge and pleasure in gardening can be immeasurably enhanced.