Friday's freebie...

So its mid-January and you got the blues?  Nothing cheers me up like planning my garden for next summer and with the price of everything going up at the grocery store I know my vegetable garden will be bigger and better this year!   First its important to plan your space so you don't over buy, and I found a great tool for just this purpose.  It's a simple planner that is pre-set for specific types of gardens at Gardeners Supply, just pick which one closest fits what you want to do, click it and then use their interactive tools to plan out your 12x12 garden plot, there is even a plant encyclopedia designed to help you find things that will work best in your area.

Now that you have your garden mapped out its time to get some catalogs to help you save some money.  By ordering seeds now and starting them indoors you will save quite a bit over buying pre-started plants at the nursery, plus its the only way to get some of the heirloom varieties.  Typically, seed packets contain a lot of seeds so a great way to save even more is to order with a friend or two and split the cost and the seeds, it cuts out waste and everyone wins.  Here is a list of companies with free catalogs for you to peruse while the snow/rain/sleet falls in your area:

Gardeners Supply (currently having their after holiday sale, which ends 1/30/11)
Burpee (currently offering 2 free seed packets with a $30 order and free shipping with coupon code FSHP)
Cooks Garden (not sure what to do with all your bounty?  Check out their great recipe section!)
Park Seed (be sure to check out their web specials when you are there, they change all the time)
Stokes (check the sale section to find great deals on things you need to construct your garden)
Gurney's (AWESOME deal alert!!!  save $25 off your order of $50 or more with coupon code 0514685, but only until January 16, 2011)
Nature Hills (coupon code FBOOK10 will take 10% off your order when used at check out)
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds (if you are interested in Heirloom seeds be sure to check out their magazine The Heirloom Gardener which you can subscribe to for only $12 for the year)

Have you grown a garden in the past?  I would love to hear about it and any tips you might have to share.

I hope everyone is have a great Friday!

C.Q.