Spring is finally here. Here are some ways to prepare your garden to reap the benefits throughout the seasons.

1. Test your soil. Contact your local agricultural extension agency through your land grant university. This will tell you exactly what your soil requires for optimal plant growth and costs around $15.

2. Feed your soil with organic matter like compost, fish emulsion, seaweed and bone meal. This will promote great growth and help prevent deficiencies in your soil.

3. Pick out the right seeds for the growing zone you live in. Purchase seeds from an organic non-GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) source. www.seedsofchange.com is a great place to learn more.

4. Take time planning your garden. Map out your ideas and make a list of what you want to grow.

5. Rotate your crops. This will help prevent the pests and diseases that can dwell in your garden from year to year.

6. Include beneficial herbs and flowers in your garden. This will invite helpful bugs like butterflies and ladybugs that will eat other harmful bugs.

7. Start sowing seeds and plant starts in March for early summer crops.

8. Consider mulching your garden. This is quite beneficial for your soil and will help it stay healthy longer, minimize weed growth, retain water, etc.

9. Visit your garden daily, just to check on it and give it some love.

Joyous O'Neill Darago is a health enthusiast and environmentalist.
She has been an organic gardener for over 10 years and has completed a 120 hour certification course in gardening
and its kind. For more information you can contact her at joyousnow@earthlink.net.