| On these cold January mornings the warm pursuits of | | | | economical and environmentally friendly fertilizer. |
| summer seem very far away. It may not be pool | | | | According to the Environmental Protection Agency, |
| weather yet, but January is the perfect month to | | | | yard trimmings and food residuals together constitute |
| start gardening. With a little planning now and a small | | | | 24 percent of the U.S. municipal solid waste stream. |
| amount of monthly yard maintenance, this summer | | | | Composting is not complicated and with a couple of |
| can yield an enjoyable array of flowers and | | | | simple steps can easily be incorporated into a weekly |
| vegetables. | | | | routine. Choose a place in the yard away from the |
| If gardening sounds like too much work, take a | | | | house to establish a compost pile. Also keep a bin |
| moment to consider the benefits: | | | | under the kitchen sink or next to the garbage can |
| -Flower beds are esthetically pleasing and increase | | | | for putting in scraps of food (do not include meat or |
| curb appeal. | | | | diary products). In a contained area deposit yard |
| -A small vegetable garden can produce food to be | | | | trimmings and kitchen scraps, then stir it up about |
| enjoyed by the whole family and reduce the grocery | | | | once a week. |
| bill. | | | | In January and February plant broccoli, lettuce, |
| -Composting can help reduce the amount of trash | | | | carrots, onions and asparagus in an area near the |
| going to land fills and provide a fun family project. | | | | house that will get sun and be protected from the |
| -Gardening is a relaxing way to get some fresh air | | | | wind. It is a good idea to add composted soil and |
| and lower stress. | | | | continue to fertilize after seeds and bulbs have been |
| Start by considering which flowers, fruits and | | | | planted. Be sure to cover plant beds if temperatures |
| vegetable are family favorites, and then do some | | | | drop below freezing. |
| research into the level of difficulty and climate | | | | Sowing seeds for annual flowers and vegetable can |
| viability. There is an abundance of gardening | | | | also be done inside in January and February. In small |
| resources available at the local library or the Internet. | | | | pots with fertilized soil, plant seeds for marigolds, |
| The website of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension | | | | petunias, begonias and impatiens. There is a wide |
| has a wealth of information about gardening in | | | | range of tomatoes and peppers to delight any palate. |
| Central Texas. | | | | The seedlings should be ready to transplant after the |
| Prepare soil by composting, which provides an | | | | plants have a third true leaf. |