“Winter always keeps its promise of spring”         

- Lauren Springer in The Undaunted Gardener

As I write this column, my Galanthus (snowdrops), the earliest bulb to bloom, are popping up and the cobalt-blue Muscari (grape hyacinth) are just beginning to emerge from the nearly frozen ground, so there is a promise of spring in the air as the snow recedes. But, alas, we should not be digging in our gardens until the sodden ground has dried out a great deal more. What to do during the next two months as we impatiently wait?

I attended a Master Gardener’s class in February that covered garden planning, a good activity for gardeners over the next couple of months until we can get out there and dig. Companion planting and crop rotation were two of the topics covered, and I'd like to share a little of the theories behind them both.

Companion planting is defined as the interplanting of two or more crops that will benefit from being near each other. One example of companion planting is growing vegetables along with certain herbs. The herbs contain essential oils that can control insects. Marigolds repel nematodes and can be planted around root crops that nematodes are known to munch on. Other beneficial combinations have been proven by scientific study, and a small amount of research (i.e. Googling) on your part will lead you to those discussions and lists of likely combinations. Part of the fun of gardening is to experiment with combinations of your own. Try www.gardenguides.com and www.organicgardening.com for some suggestions.

Crop rotation can reduce insects, nematodes and diseases that slowly accumulate in the soil over time. Another reason to rotate is that plants use soil nutrients at different rates and some crops add nutrients to the soil. Knowing what nutrients plants need for optimum growth helps you plan crop placement each year. An absolute rule is to never plant anything from the same plant family in the same location or in the same soil two years in a row. Eliot Coleman, a well-known gardener and author of excellent books, uses an eight-year vegetable crop rotation rather more involved than most of us can imagine. An example of his rationale: potatoes follow sweet corn because research has shown corn to be one of the preceding crops that most benefit the yield of potatoes. Coleman also liberally uses cover crops in his rotations.

As they say, so many things to learn, so little time. I've been attending gardening classes this month (February) in our community and am excited by the availability. I completed the Master Gardening course two years ago and continue to attend classes each year to keep learning. I encourage interested gardeners to look into this program that takes place every spring semester. The classes are so informative and a great way to become a part of the gardening community in the Palouse.

I also recently signed up for classes at the University of Idaho greenhouse. Gerald Meyer, Greenhouse manager, teaches classes which members of the community are welcome to attend. Classes range from Long Blooming Perennials to Plant Propagation to Growing Orchids. Call Jerry at 208-885-6379, or e-mail him at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it for a schedule of upcoming classes and reservations. The classes have been quite popular and fill quickly. There is no charge.

In the March Garden:

Clean up debris from winter storms;

According to phenology, a branch of science dealing with the relations between climate and periodic biological phenomena (as bird migration or plant flowering), the time to prune the roses is when the forsythia bloom;

While pruning, clean up and dispose of rose leaves since they may harbor diseases;

Dormant spray fruit trees and roses (using an organic horticultural oil) when above freezing temperatures and no rain are forecast for a 48-hour period. The spraying will be most effective when buds are swelling and just about ready to open. Do not spray after the buds show color, and keep the spray away from the lower part of the tree, as this is where many of the beneficial insects lay their eggs.