Top tips for getting your garden started
Getting your seeds started in preparation for a thriving veggie garden? It’s that time of year. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or looking to develop a green thumb, it’s a fun and exciting time as we look forward to the growing season.
Megan Timm, SSM Health Regional Director of Community Health in Wisconsin, owns a farm just outside of Whitewater, Wisconsin. Timm says her role in Community Health and her family’s small farm are the perfect match for her passion and values.
“My husband and I were really committed to making sure our kids grew up in a space where they knew where their food was coming from,” says Timm. "In Community Health at SSM Health, a lot of our focus is on preventative care. I have always had the belief that food is medicine and if we can really take care of the food we eat, know where it comes from, and eat nourishing foods, our community would be healthier.”
Timm’s family of four preserves the produce they harvest to last until the next growing season and gives a lot of the extra bounty away to friends and neighbors who want and need it. It’s a way of life that Timm says takes dedication.
Megan’s top tips for newer gardeners
- Be careful not to overwater seeds if you’re starting them indoors and consider using only a misting bottle to keep the top layer of soil moist.
- Keep a journal and record all your observations of the plants from one year to the next. It’s a great way to learn from mistakes.
- Learn from local resources like blogs or the regional extension office to find out what issues other growers are facing in your specific area.
- Do a little research on what’s called companion planting to find out what plants should be grown next to each other, and which should not. Some plants are more likely to thrive when you take time to find out what should be planted in the next row.
Even experienced gardeners know a lot can go wrong in the garden. Timm says it’s best to embrace failure and advises new gardeners to take it slow.
“I’ve failed more than I’ve been successful, if I’m being honest, but those failures are really helpful. If this is going to be your first garden this year, don’t try to do too much and then get overwhelmed. Start with what you like. Maybe pick three things that you know you’re going to eat.”