By Jannie Vaught,

All the preparations and soil amendments are in and the tilling, row making and planning are underway. The important need for plant starts and seeds seems to be almost as problematic as getting a pound of butter or tissue. For many of us who have been sharing the importance of heritage seeds, native seeds, and plants, has been going on for years. Many of us save seeds and use them yearly, never would we have imagined that a Global Illness would bring the need for growing our own food to the Top of the list for every person that eats. That’s you and me, our pets. Not to mention the needs of the farmers and ranchers. They have their own sources, and many grow their feed and grain. Many of us have started weeks ago under lights because thats what we do.

We prepare for the garden season.

But this year a change has happened and this possible will shift how we garden for a very long time! Basics are needed. Plant things you will eat. Look for seeds that grow fast and can get a double crop or shift to something as soon as it is finished.

5 things to grow that are fast are:

Radishes, Salad leaves(for continuous harvesting)these include lettuce, mustard, kale, rocket, arugula, cilantro. Bush or dwarf beans. carrots, spinach.

My mustards and some radish are already making flowers and I am leaving them to collect the seeds, then peanuts will go in. Remember peanuts grow very well in our Texas soil and heat. A bag of Valencia Raw peanuts from the store will produce, along with packaged black eye peas and most beans will grow in a pinch, soak in water first. Time to get beans, peas and those tomatoes and pepper starts in the soil. growing the garden will bring added fresh produce to your table. But unless your growing acres of beans and other crops a small garden is only supplemental. When planting tomatoes plant them deep up to the first leaves for better growth. They need a minimum of 12 inches beneath them to have adequate root growth and they grow upward to 3 foot and more they need deep support as well as external support when they go into fruiting. Stake or place the tomato cage at the time of planting to not disrupt the roots. Get them fed and continue to feed throughout the season. Watering is essential. A soaker system is hard to beat but a good soak down the rows when the heat comes on will keep them in good shape.

Were putting the rest of garden #2 in, and it is looking good. Time to get to digging.

Growing Green With Jannie