Spring has sprung around Bothell, and with many students enjoying ‘warm’ weather (Washington warm, anyway) the time has come to discuss a popular spring hobby: Gardening! Gardening may not be extremely popular among high school students, but for those willing to try out your green thumb, here are some tips and information to get you started.

Gardening is like a story. You need a who, what, when, where, and why. The who is obviously you, the person planting them. The what will be what type of plant you want to grow. It could be something nutritious such as romaine lettuce, or a type of flower (annuals, which will only last you the year, or perennials, which regrow spring after spring according to proflowers,com) to add a splash of bright color to your yard, or put them in a flower pot to compliment a room. Regardless, it should be something that can handle average weather conditions for your area. (Washington tends to be rainy, as you know, so maybe some plants that can handle a lot of water)

As to where, where do you want to have your garden? This also depends on what you want your garden to look like. You could make anything from a small rectangular flower bed out front or an entire hidden sanctuary in your own backyard.

You would definitely not want to, for example, try planting something tropical like bananas or hibiscus in Washington’s cold environment. Your local Home Depot, Fred Meyer, or McLandens nursery section probably has suitable plants for your region.

When you plant your flora, keep in mind there is a proper time to put them in the soil. You don’t need to worry about that this season since the snow’s already melted.

Finally comes your ‘why’. Are you planting something so that you can have as fresh a salad as possible, such as lettuce, or are you looking for something more aesthetic to look at while sipping your morning coffee or tea, such as flowers?

Finally, water your plants as required by how much it rains. If your soil is still wet from rain, you do not need to water it. The soil should stay slightly moist, but never muddy or flooded. Follow these guidelines and you are well on your way to a healthy garden. Have fun with your new-found green thumb!