With day after day of rain in May adding up to nearly 100 millimetres in the first three weeks, it's difficult to imagine being outside in the garden. But between the seemingly endless bouts of rain, gardeners are getting outside during this month cleaning up debris to get ready for the 2011 growing season.

 Bridgewater Farmers Co-op manager Donald Langille said flower gardeners can hardly wait for the first sunny day in May to remove the old leaves and debris that winter has left. Getting back into the gardening season always begins with a good cleanup. It's also a good time to cut back overgrown bushes and shrubs, reseed the grass if needed and begin planting.

 Mr. Langille said during the planting process, it's a good idea to mix in compost or black earth in the soil. He suggested that gardeners test the pH level and if needed, apply lime to the soil to make the ground more hospitable for growing.

 "Very few people actually test their gardens, but the pH should be up for most things," said Mr. Langille. "Around here a lower pH is a common problem." However, there are plants that do prefer a low pH. Researching the type of plant you want to grow is important.

 In vegetable gardens, Mr. Langille said there is a solution to most soil problems. For instance, he said a clay-type soil can be tilled with peat moss to increase its growing potential.

 It's important to wait until after the risk of frost has passed - after the first full moon in May - before bringing seedlings outside or putting seeds directly in the ground.

 Broadfork Farm farmer Shannon Jones, of Wentzells Lake, said contrary to popular belief starting a garden actually begins with a pen and paper. Ms Jones simplifies the steps into what she calls the three Ps - planning, preparing and planting.

 "The first thing that people should do is think about what they like and make a list," said Ms Jones.

 The farmer suggested gardeners begin research by using the internet, seed catalogues and/or gardening books. The purpose of the research is to determine how much space is required between each plant and how tall a plant will grow to ensure shorter plants aren't shaded out. Tall plants should be planted on the north side of the garden, she added.

 Ideally six hours of sunlight a day is needed for most vegetable gardens, said Ms Jones. For those who don't have a minimum of six hours of sunlight, lettuce and spinach can be quite successful. However, produce such as tomatoes, melons, peppers or cucumbers need as much sun as possible.

 "You want to plan where you locate your garden based on how much sunlight is where," said Ms Jones. "That's why you need to think about what you like to grow to figure out what you have available and what can do well in that situation."

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 If no land is available, Ms Jones suggested to grow tomatoes on the patio in a container. You can also easily grow herbs and lettuce or salad mix on a patio in a planter box.

 "You can spread the seeds around, let it grow. You can cut it and it will grow back," said Ms Jones. "You can grow lots of things without any land."

 But for those who are fortunate enough to have a backyard, Ms Jones said a simple way to start a garden is to build a raised bed or wooden frame. Line the bottom with a layer of newspaper or cardboard to suppress weeds. She said add compost and soil and the ground is ready for planting. Those who do not wish to have a raised garden can prepare the ground by a technique called double-digging.

 To double dig, she said first remove a square patch of sod. Remove about a foot deep of the top layer of soil. Stick a fork in the sublayer of soil for aeration. Place the soil from the next square onto the first and aerate. Continue the process until the garden is as large as is desired.

 "That makes it so your plant will have more access to nutrients because there is more growing space for them down below the ground," she said. "You can just fork it up too and mix in compost, but you get really nice results from double-digging."

 Next is planting. Ms Jones said that green beans, peas, beets, carrots, turnips, salad mix and corn can go directly in the soil. Other types of produce, such as peppers, melons, cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower, are better planted outside as seedlings. For the new gardener, planting seedlings will ensure you can distinguish the plant from weeds.

 She said hand-tended gardens do not have to be planted in a straight line, but doing so can help gardeners identify the plant. She added that gardens can be planted around any naturally occurring rocks. She said leaving rocks in a garden is actually beneficial for the soil in the long term.

 "All of the things that are naturally in the soil - leaves, bugs, rocks - they all benefit the soil and nature in some way," she added.

 Ms Jones added that anyone can grow their own vegetables or herbs. She suggested beginners start small with a couple of favourite items and be prepared for a little trial and error.

posted on 05/24/11