After the groundhog predicted six more weeks of icy coldness, spring is finally making its way through Elmhurst, bringing along its warmth and radiance. As the snow melts away and the ground unfreezes, it is now the perfect time to garden, especially since it is Lawn and Gardening Month.

Here at York, Garden Club plans to kick off the springtime by gardening, composting, and adding two more raised beds to the north side of the building to add to the current two in place. Garden Club advisers Mrs. Yun and Mr. Bendelow recently held a meeting with the garden club members to help give advice to experienced and inexperienced gardeners who plan to become productive this spring:

York-hi: When is the perfect time to garden?
Garden Club: Outdoors, any time after the risk of snow is gone. For perennials (plants that live for more than two years), anytime after the ground is unfrozen.

Yh: Where is the ideal place to garden?
GC: A place that fits the requirements for the plants that you wish to grow. Most likely a place with adequate sunshine and fair drainage.

Yh: What materials do you need to garden?
GC: Soil, seeds or transplants, access to water, access to sunlight, pots or warm ground after risk of frost, trowels or shovels, and gardening gloves.

Yh: Could you describe the general process for planting?
GC: Follow the directions on the seed packets if you’re planting from the seed: it will specify depth to sow and spacing between different plants. Also, if you’re planting a transplant, the pot will list specifics as to how far deep to plant the transplant and how far apart to space the plants.

Yh: How long does it take for your plant to fully develop?
GC: That really depends on the type of vegetable, fruit, or herb you’re choosing to grow. If you buy transplants or grow from seeds, the containers or seeds packets give detailed information about days to germination (sprouting) and harvest (picking).

Yh: What flowers are great to plant during springtime?
GC: Pansies and the bulbs are the first to sprout. However, these needed to be planted back in the fall before October and frost.

Yh: What vegetables/fruits are good to garden? Why?
GC: There’s so much to choose from! We’ve chosen to grow the following in our raised beds here at York: kale, tomatoes, peppers (bell, jalapeno, sweet banana), lettuce, parsley, basil, cilantro, swiss chard, and marigold flowers to add some color and keep the critters away.

Yh: Why are these plants recommended for the springtime?
GC: They are easy to grow and there is easy access from nurseries/garden stores as transplants. They also require around the same type of sunlight… so planting them together would be successful.