By Michelle Waltos

Librarian

With a chill still in the air, it is hard to think about gardening outdoors, but March and April are the perfect time to start a number of different seedlings indoors, including cabbage, tomatoes, eggplant and peppers, as well as a variety of herbs and flowers. Starting your plants from seeds affords a wider selection of plants and lowers the cost you would incur to buy them already established. 

Regardless of whether you start from seed or with grown plants, turning your attention to the soil is a must for a successful garden. Knowing about your soil and the ideal conditions for different plants is the secret to a healthy, plentiful and beautiful garden.

Get to know the soil in your garden better by joining us at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 8, for a unique program called “Soils” at the Northern Onondaga Public Library (NOPL) at Cicero. The program will be presented by Master Gardener Melanie Henson, who will discuss some of the different soil types that you might encounter in your garden, how to determine your soil type and what additions you can make for optimal growing.

The growing season is upon us! Whether you are a beginner or an advanced gardener, the NOPL Cicero library has the resources you need — from books to garden plots — for a successful growing season.

Visit nopl.org/libraryfarm for more information about current garden programs and events, or to learn how you can “check out” a plot in the LibraryFarm at NOPL Cicero.