Garden season is an exciting time of year for me. A reminder that winter is coming to an end – although I may be one of the crazy people who actually enjoys winter. But, as spring approaches, I find that I’m ready for some warmer weather and more time outside without heavy coats, mittens and hats.

While I realize that here in Zone 6A, the threat of frost is far from over – we actually woke up to snow on the ground this morning – it’s the perfect time to get those seedlings in some dirt and tucked away safely in the greenhouse.

Our little portable greenhouse is sitting in the corner of our living room being watched and watered on a regular basis. Several times a day I spritz the soil awaiting the first signs of life. That little bit of green pushing its way up thru the darkness and giving the black soil some much needed color.

What’s in the greenhouse right now?

I have planted 32 onions, but only a small handful have emerged so far – come on you little allium delights. I will be starting another tray this week and probably another tray next week because we use onions. I also want to try dehydrating some for the winter months and that is a lot of onions.

The jalapenos and Serranos are emerging, although I’m not sure I really need many this year. Still, I love having peppers in the garden and maybe this year we’ll can some pickled peppers.

My sweet peppers have also broken thru the soil, and my plan is to start another few seedlings because I’m determined to have success growing sweet peppers this year.

Of course, tomatoes are a garden staple in our family, even though there are only two of us who really like them and one of us who is learning to like them. I also share our bounty with my BFF who loves a good tomato on her sandwiches during the summer. This year I want to can salsa (another use of jalapenos and Serranos) and tomato sauce as well as several quarts of tomatoes which I can quickly puree for winter soups, stews and chili.

I received my latest seed order from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds and they were so kind as to send me a free packet of a tomato seed. It’s a variety that I have never grown, so in the seedling tray they went. It’s always fun to try something different and it’s especially fun when they are free.

Herbs – rosemary, thyme, oregano and basil are also taking up residence in the greenhouse along with a couple pollinators – Bee Balm and ageratum. A pollinator garden is another project I’ll be tackling this year because there seems to be fewer bees and butterflies visiting our yard, so my plan is to give them good reasons to visit.

Now that I’ve started some of the seedlings, I’m anxious to begin my garden spring cleaning. The temperatures need to warm up a bit, and the snow needs to end first, then I’ll being pruning back to the raspberries and blackberries and cleaning up the strawberry bed (kind of wishing I had a bigger bed for strawberries). All of the beds are in need of compost, so there is quite a bit of work to do.

My garden goals from last year are still in place. Soon we will need to work on some frames for growing vertically. Cattle panel archways for the butternut squash and cucumbers. Something for giving tomatoes height instead of width – hubby has some plans or is at least working on plans. I think the garden is going to expand a bit this year to accommodate everything.

The beds that unsuccessfully grew grapes will be growing spinach, kale, radishes and peas. I’m also thinking about testing my green thumb out by planting Brussel sprouts. Of course, my kids love growing carrots, and Baker Creek has sent me several packets of free carrot seeds. No reason not to grow them again this year.

Lastly, we will be adding rain barrels this year. In our area, we are well below what we need in the way of precipitation. Hopefully we will get some good spring rains, but collecting rainwater for the garden will be very helpful this year in keeping the garden watered.

To my fellow gardeners, what’s in your garden this year?