4 Things, THIS spring.

My homestead (and I'm using that term loosely) is really in full swing already. My chickens are growing and ready to move to the coop; which we are still building. I already have several things growing rapidly in my garden including onions, peas, garlic, spinach, and greens. It's already time to direct sow many more cold tolerant plants like beets, carrots, and potatoes. I have tray after tray of seedlings popping up that need careful attention throughout the day to ensure they stay moist and warm. I am working very hard to ensure I will have a bountiful harvest this summer and fall. Here are 4 good garden practices that will ensure the best harvest:

1. Compost
It is always good practice to spread a layer of rich organic compost across your garden beds each spring. In addition to feeding your plants all summer, it will provide a clean, seed-free start to your garden.

2. Insects and Bugs
Typically, when you think of insects and bugs in the garden you assume they are pests we want to remove. In this case, however, I want to talk about how to attract the good bugs and insects; the pollinators. Plant flowers, herbs, or clover; or leave a small patch of grass un-mowed in a protected area of your lawn near your garden. The pollinators will be drawn to these plants, but your entire garden will benefit.

3. Aerate
Hopefully, you're not deeply tilling your garden every year. While this practice seems to aerate your garden, it actually destroys the soil structure which causes the soil to collapse and compress over time. Instead, use a broad fork or pitch fork to deeply aerate your soil without compressing it. Simply drive the tines into the soil and pull the handle back. This will loosen the soil allowing the roots to more easily penetrate it.

4. Cold Frame
If you don't already use cold frames, make just one this spring. Your cold weather crops will begin sprouting several weeks sooner under the cold frame than they would in an unprotected location. Then, as temperatures rise you can move your cold frame to another patch to protect small seedlings that may not be quite as cold tolerant. Then finally, just as the risk of frost is gone, you can plant beans under your cold frame and protect them on those last few nights that may get near freezing. Just remember that when temperatures are above about 40͒ F you'll want to vent or completely remove the cold frame. Even at these low temperatures enough heat can build up under your cold frame to scald your plants.

~The Ohio Homesteader