Hello & welcome to my May 2023 newsletter. Thanks for joining me this month! As you know, I try to visit our local growers' & artisan markets as often as possible so I'm happy the season has started again. If you browse any of the local markets you'll see the vast variety of produce available in our area. Our temperate climate lends itself to so many options. One of my other very favorite activities during the warmer months is growing my own veggies. I garden to have access to produce that can be hard to come by & to share my bounty with friends & family. As I was researching & planning for my garden this year, I thought it might be nice to share some planting info, tips & resources with you. What does your home garden look like? What are some of your favorite veggies to grow & eat? Here's a helpful harvest calendar that you can save for reference for your own garden as well as shopping at our many local seasonal markets. |
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Your garden will benefit from some planning & research prior to jumping in & digging in the dirt. A great starting place is to make a list of vegetables you would like to grow, taking into account your available space & your family's taste preferences. Will you consume all of those home-grown veggies fresh? Your facilities for canning, freezing or drying extra produce may also factor into what & how much you plant. Make sure there is enough garden space to raise all the vegetables you want to grow. Click on the photo above for a very helpful & comprehensive guide to all things gardening in Albuquerque. |
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When selecting the site for your garden, make sure the soil is deep & well-drained. Raised beds are a great option (I use them in my home garden) in our area since they give you more control over soil & watering needs. Most veggies prefer full sun so vegetable gardens should be located away from trees that will create too much shade. You'll want to have easy access to water & your preferred gardening tools. The ideal soil should be fertile & contain plenty of organic matter to retain moisture well. Most soils in New Mexico are low in organic matter, so adding supplements to your garden soil will help improve its structure & the health & yield of your crops. |
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Plants can be established either by direct seeding or by transplanting. Planting seeds directly is the easiest & most basic method for starting vegetables in a garden. If you prefer transplanting, you can find healthy starts at local nurseries & growers' markets. Due to our temperate climate, you can cultivate three gardens in one: spring, summer & fall. Planting dates for each will depend on the type of vegetable & when you'd like to harvest. Hardy cool-season crops can be planted early in the spring or in the summer for a fall crop, while warm-season crops should be planted after the last chance of frost has passed in the spring. I nestle my summer seedlings in between my spring plants to get them started a few weeks before I harvest my cool weather veggies. As I start to say goodbye to my lettuce, I say hello to my tomatoes & cucumbers . Click on the photo above for a super helpful & comprehensive guide for germination & planting dates from Osuna Nursery. |
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Most veggies germinate well at a daytime temperature of 70°F (overnight 60°F). Depending on the type of vegetable, 6-8 hours of direct sunlight may be needed per day. Because of our dry climate here in New Mexico, a plan for irrigation is essential. After planting your garden, you'll need to maintain moist soil until the seeds germinate & plants are established. Once plants are established, you'll want to water less frequently but more deeply & monitor for pests. The more love you show your garden, the happier & more abundant your harvest will be. |
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The Albuquerque Downtown Growers' Market is home to over 70 New Mexican growers offering the highest quality produce available. You will also find handcrafted art, jewelry, wellness products, pottery alongside a variety of prepared foods & beverages. This is the largest growers' market in the city, however there are also many other weekly markets & seasonal festivals where you'll be able to find produce & arts. Other weekly seasonal markets to visit are the Rail Yards Market, Los Ranchos Growers' Market & Corrales Growers' Market. Many other small pop-up markets are happening around town through the fall, so keep an eye out for all the ways to support local. You can feel good knowing that you are accessing the freshest, organic produce & supporting our tireless Albuquerque small businesses. |
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The real estate market in Albuquerque continues to experience low inventory of homes for sale. We are not seeing a drop in prices due to the scarcity of available inventory. If you have been on the fence about selling, NOW is the time to do it. I can help you ready your home to list or navigate the competitive market if you are seeking your dream home. Call me (505) 440-1256! |
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I hope this information was helpful for you & that you're as excited as I am for Spring weather & activities. I'd love to hear about your plans, what you're planting or any other tips I can use in my own garden. Stay tuned for my stuffed squash blossoms recipe to come in a newsletter this summer. Please send your favorites along to me as well. I'm always on the lookout for new dishes to try using fresh, in-season ingredients. Thanks again for joining me this month. |
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