Planting a garden is a fun and rewarding way to “Step Outside.” Even just planting a few potted plants for your deck or the entrance of the house can bring joy in many ways. 

Sowing seeds in wet dirt is exactly like it sounds: dirty. But it’s good to get dirty once in a while, especially for a good reason. You don’t need greenhouses and giant raised beds to start a garden; it can be as simple as rotating some dirt, and mixing in some decent purchased soil or soil dug from a compost pile. Then plant your seeds and watch them grow. 

Fencing in a garden is the best defense from deer and woodchucks around here. Burying the bottom few inches of the fence in the dirt will keep most woodchucks out, but it’s always a battle. You can save money on fence posts by locating some thin hardwood trees, ideally locusts, and cutting your own posts. One hundred feet of fencing will get you started with a nice 25-foot-by-25-foot garden—generally enough space for a few rows of vegetables and/or flowers. 

Most serious gardeners have most likely had starter plants growing inside under grow lamps for a few weeks now. Those starter plants of tomatoes and other vegetable varieties will be transplanted into the ground as small plants, then begin to grow to full size throughout the long days of summer. 

It is smart to plant marigolds among vegetables and other plants that pests eat. Most pests dislike the fragrance put off by marigolds, and the flowers will play defense for you by just being there and looking pretty. 

Planting basil at the base of tomato plants is also smart to keep the ever-so-repulsive tomato hornworm off your tomato plants; plus the basil complements the tomatoes to make a nice caprese salad or appetizer when harvested. 

Sunflowers are a great addition to gardens as they attract birds and pollinators alike. They stand high and look beautiful all summer long. 

My wife and I like to plant edible flowers called nasturtiums in pots near our front porch. These brightly colored flowers have a spicy and flavorful taste and are a nice addition to green and pasta salads. 

I personally have never had too much of a green thumb, but I still plant things every spring. I’ve struggled through some gardening experiences, but most seeds want to grow. Just add water, sunlight and soil, and you’ve got the recipe for success. 

Watching the plants grow and thrive throughout a growing season is extremely rewarding for one’s psyche. Watering and weeding the garden is a regular duty, and it forces us to go outdoors. So if you’re intimidated by starting a garden, try to overcome that fear of failure by sowing some seeds into the ground. Most plants come with specific directions right on the seed packets and will guide you through the simple process of planting them. And remember, it’s OK to fail; often, those little seeds hidden in the dirt will surprise you with the beauty of the plant that will emerge.