By Debbie Naeter

If you are on anyone's mailing list anywhere, by now you have probably received your spring 2002 seed and nursery catalogs. Aren't they fun? You can sit and dream up the most beautiful garden; it's filled with all your favorite blooms and overflowing with perfect fruit and vegetables. There's not a weed, bug or disease in sight.

Back to reality. We all know it just ain't so. But we can get pretty close to that dream picture with a lot of planting, after taking a hard look at your planting space. It's a good idea to start with some simple diagrams on paper with approximate square footage, indicating where you have full sun, dappled sun and deep shade. Then sit down with those seed catalogs and see what you can do. Read descriptions carefully. Make note of the symbols they use to indicate needed light levels, water requirements, spacing, resistance (or not) to infestations and diseases.

Color purists planting a flower garden have the added task of checking a color wheel to determine how blooms will blend or contrast with one another, as well as bloom times and plant heights. Also, plants chosen for a given space or container must have the same light and water requirements.

Vegetable gardeners might use a different approach because most all vegetables require a sunny location. But look closely at your garden plot and see how nearby trees, hedges and fences might cast shadows throughout the day. As you read the catalogs you may find some vegetables that actually appreciate a mid-day break from the sun. The growing season on some lettuce and greens can be extended by providing protection from late day sun and heat. Those hedges and fences are going to affect air flow. Mildew and fungus diseases are a problem in this area as the days become hot and humid. Plan your plantings allowing for plenty of space for the air to move, and always plant or thin to the recommended density for that particular vegetable. Overcrowding results in less air flow, greater chances of disease and infestation and lower yields.

Again, read plant and seed descriptions thoroughly. Look for and choose those varieties that offer some resistance to the problems common to that fruit or vegetable.

So you want to get an early start on your garden, do you? If you think you'd like to start your own seed indoors, it's not too late. Most varieties of pepper, tomatoes and flowers need about 6-8 weeks from sprouting to the last frost. Since our average last frost date for this area is about mid-April, we're not too far off that mark. In fact, for many of those heat-loving flowers and vegetables, waiting until Mother's Day to set them out is not a bad idea. Then you can be reasonably assured that the soil is warm enough, and the chance of frost has passed.

Starting seed indoors can be fun. There is a special joy in those dark green, tiny plants, basking under bright lights or on the sill while a late March snow falls outside the windows.

Seed starting supplies are many, varied and available. You might choose a tool that helps you make your own little pots out of brown paper (recycling!) or peat pots (jiffy pots). These can be set right into the ground, where they decompose as the root system grows. The roots are not distributed in transplanting, reducing shock and resulting in a healthier plant. Be prepared -- just as soon as those seedlings emerge, you must be ready to provide a bright light. If not, the seedlings will reach and search for the light, and you will end up with a weak and spindly plant. Fluorescent, Gro-lux and halogen are all good choices. They don't throw much heat and allow you to place the plants fairly closely. Any light sources will do, but judge the heat level and allow for air circulation. Adding a small fan could be helpful. Plant stems will grow stronger under the influence of air flow. You can get the same results by lightly brushing your hand over the seedlings daily. Always make sure your hands are clean, especially you cigarette smokers. Any chemical residue or tobacco on your hands could affect some tender seedlings.

For you really anxious gardeners, there are many varieties of lettuce and greens that can be planted now, sometimes just by dropping the seed on top of lightly worked soil. As soon as the soil can be worked more deeply, you can plant radishes, peas, spinach, onions and beets. My fava bean packet said " Plant when the crocus bloom." And of course, many folks around here know you can plant your potatoes on or near St. Pat's Day.

If you want to go to the effort, there are many methods for starting heat-loving plants early. "Wall of Water" offers the most protection, allowing a tomato plant to withstand temperatures that drop back to 10 degrees (or so they claim, I have not tried one). "Hot Caps," plastic jugs and floating row covers all offer protection from cold winds and frost, but need to be tilted back or removed on those warm, sunny spring days we all enjoy so much. A variety of ground covers offer benefits. Black or brown plastic will raise the soil temperature for tomatoes and peppers. Pepper plants prefer to start out in soil not less than 60 degrees. Red mulch will reflect "far red" light back up onto the plant and is proven to be especially beneficial for tomatoes and strawberries. And a silver mulch is said to help against infestation, supposedly confusing or disorienting the bugs, especially aphids. (Go figure?)

Me?

I wait 'til about Mother's Day, put down a good straw mulch on that lovely, fragrant, sun-warmed soil, set my tomato and pepper plants into it and call it a garden.

Some things you do not want to plant too early. I can still remember how upset poor Mr. Bill Brinkopf would get when his customers would come back in complaining he sold them bad corn seed. He just couldn't convince them that corn seed planted too early in cool soil is only going to rot. Corn seed is too expensive folks, just wait 'til the ground warms up. Also, wait to plant beans, okra, cucumbers and squash. Melon seed sprouts at 85 degrees.

Why do we crazy gardeners go to all this trouble? We love it. With hands in the dirt and the sun on your back, we know where our food is coming from. The air and exercise is good for body and soul. We can choose to garden organically and just eat dinner in the garden. And, oh -- that first tomato.

Debbie Naeter is owner of The Plant Lady in downtown Cape Girardeau.