There’s still time to start a spring garden, but starting one on your own can be intimidating. So let’s talk about how to prepare, what you’ll need, and what to plant.
What You’ll Need
First, you’ll need to assess the type of space you have. Planter boxes offer easy access, better soil control, and the ability to garden in tight spaces. If you’re planting directly on the ground, testing your soil before planting will help produce the best results.
Here are some essential tools you’ll need to get started:
- Gloves
- Pruning shears
- Spade
- Watering tools like a hose nozzle and watering wand for larger areas, or a watering can for smaller areas and indoor plants
- For large outdoor gardens, you’ll also need a rake, garden fork, and hoe.
Don’t have yard space? Try getting involved at one of Philly’s many community gardens. You can also start an indoor garden with kits from Click & Grow, Rise Gardens, or Gardyn.
What To Plant
Bookmark the planting calendars from Almanac.com and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society — they will help you decide the best time to plant different types of veggies, fruits, and herbs. Here’s a quick guide:
- For the colder part of spring — asparagus, peas, beets, and spinach. (It’s a little too late now, but there’s always next year!)
- For the warmer part of spring — cucumbers, dry beans, and okra.
- Herbs like mint and parsley come back every year, making them an easy place to start. (But mint in particular likes to SPREAD. So be mindful about where and how you plant it.)
You can also try adding some low-maintenance native plants to your garden.
Where To Get Garden Supplies
The benefit of shopping local is that you’ll have access to experts that can give you gardening advice specific to Philly. Here are some of our favorites:
- Urban Jungle Nursery (South Philly)
- Bartram’s Garden Plant Nursery (Southwest Philly)
- Primex Garden Center (Glenside)
If you’d rather buy online, retailers like Seed Savers and Burpee have a wide selection of seeds for flowers, vegetables, and herbs, along with heirloom varieties. Just be sure to reference Almanac.com’s planting calendar for what seeds you should get.
