Garden Checklist: 10 Tasks to Give Your Garden a Head Start Before Spring

[@suepowlesland8541]

Your joy at finding the lost shoe and extra cucumber seed had me laughing 😅. My favorite thing about Saturday mornings is knowing I have a new video from you. Thanks again Ben.

[@PatrickKazmierczak-j6i]

I like how they show the shoe again. It looked mischievous 😂

[@joybrown8644]

I half thought it might grow into a shoe plant! 🌱

[@wandagaines2678]

You've probably answered this question but what planting zone are you in?

[@ninemoonplanet]

I think he's in zone 7 or 8.

[@wandagaines2678]

@@ninemoonplanet thank you

[@OnYerBike483]

Hi Ben. Watching from france after retiring from the UK. After 30 years of spreadsheets I’m a total newbie but learning all about gardening from your wonderful videos. Hubby has built me a beautiful greenhouse and I’ve wrote that saying on the wall “out into the garden I go, to lose my mind and find my soul”. And it’s so true. Thank you so much, your enthusiasm is infectious and the videos to the point.

[@GrowVeg]

The garden just makes you feel so whole and optimistic doesn't it! Thank you for watching. :-)

[@CassiWooWoo]

Ben, on the dullest of days bringing great joy & fantastic advice to thousands of people around the Earth! Thank you 🤗🍓🌻🩴

[@GrowVeg]

What a lovely comment, thank you so much. :-)

[@valeriezendiver263]

Your videos are consistently educational, entertaining, and encouraging; I learn something new each time. Thank you for your upbeat, infectious attitude!

[@tiffcat1100]

Ditto!

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much. :-)

[@Kelson01]

You are EASILY the best gardening channel on KZbin. Keep doing exactly what you’re doing. I love your videos!

[@dianadubray-fox1527]

You know what I absolutely loved, it was seeing Ben visiting Huw Richards made my day that did seeing two like minded people no rivalry bloody loved it 😊

[@GrowVeg]

Maybe just a little bit of rivalry! But all in very good spirits. Gardeners are all friendly people and it's great to share ideas and experiences. :-)

[@escapetoruralwales]

Great info on keeping greenhouse ventilated during the whole month rather than just those hot days. Makes complete sense now you say it 👍

[@escapetoruralwales]

I suppose it helps with disease in that damp stage too

[@charlaemery1811]

I’m adding a thermostat louvered exhaust fan to an end gable of my greenhouse and an equal size vent to the opposite side which will be mounted only 12” above ground level. It will pull in cooler air while the exhaust fan takes out the upper hot air.

[@GrowVeg]

Hi mate. Yes indeed, it also helps with avoiding diseases. Keep the air moving as much as you can!

[@TheSandelinSofa]

And I love that you have so calming videos, not hectic music in the background, but calming and not too loud. 🤗

[@SoulsJourney]

I so love your enthusiasm and sense of humor. 😊👍

[@SeptemberVaudrey]

Ben--I love that your garden is focused on function and production. And you use found materials like the glass pane. Also, I love that no one edited out the bit where you found your shoe! Thanks for keeping it real.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much September. I think it's important to keep it real - I was very pleased to find my shoe again! :-)

[@kws1957]

Thank you too. I’m 66 now and in pension so I hope to have some more time for gardening.

[@ninemoonplanet]

Retiree here, it's really nice to get your own home grown food, herbs. Know where your sunlight is morning, afternoon and evening. I didn't, and found out some things failed.

[@charlaemery1811]

I SO appreciate your minimal advertising! I am leaving so many previously favorite garden vloggers who now have ads every 3 minutes! Thank you, thank you! Zone 8 Northeast Texas with very similar planting times.

[@EHOinExile]

Yep, me too. I'm getting a bit tired of being told to buy 'merch' from otherwsie good youtubers. The Grow veg style is everything you need and nothing you don't

[@GrowVeg]

We do have adverts (because it pays for the channel) but we try to keep them fairly minimal if possible and definitely skippable. :-)

[@victorialee1307]

Thank you for including both Fahrenheit and Celsius 😅 very helpful as always

[@Candy-le5wk]

Love your enthusiasm for gardening. And you explain so easily even a child can understand. Wonderful. Next generation will benefit!

[@mychalbrown4585]

My kids love his videos. We built a garden together last spring/summer as part of our homeschool science curriculum and relied on these videos a lot, since I only had very basic knowledge from when I was a kid gardening with my parents. It was a great summer!

[@GrowVeg]

So pleased you guys are enjoying the videos. Thank you for watching! :-)

[@foxy7674.]

thanks for all your clips, advice, cheers

[@davidreilly1031]

Use plastic containers such as Quality Street tubs with lids on, dril holes in the bottom sides of the tub, Bury it to the depth of lid level, then you can easily top up the tub with more kitchen waste, the worms will visit the tub and then go back into the bed and cast.

[@TheEnglishladyskitchengarden]

That's a really useful tip. Thank you

[@trapped7534]

Your upbeat videos are like a ray of sunshine!!!!! At this time of year,I am so anxious to see green leaves and sprouts!!!!!! Thanks again for all of the great info. May the Lord Bless you and yours!!!!

[@GrowVeg]

Thank you so much for those kind words. Green leaves and sprouts will be all around us soon! :-)

[@OurSmallholdingAdventure]

Such great advice Ben, thank you. Tracy 🌱

[@kayluley3209]

such a motivation....lovely videos in these depressing times

[@PatrickKazmierczak-j6i]

I can’t wait until it warms up! My big winter jobs were creating no dig beds and a 3 bay compost bin with roof and guttering. However, in the greenhouse, got lettuce (various stages), carrots, sweet peas, onions and a few shallots. I’ve had my allotment for 3 years now and couldn’t imagine life without it 😊

[@GrowVeg]

Lots to look forward to there. :-)

[@michelleodonovan2696]

Great video once again! Very inspiring 👏

[@hopedaniels7737]

You are like the gardening version of Chef Ramsey with the excitement you have in your voice as you explain to us what you do and how you do it❤❤. Love the passion you have!

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much, that's a big compliment! :-)

[@tiffcat1100]

Loved the jumping fox! 🥰🦊

[@spir5102]

I love your love of gardening!

[@BumblebeeAdventure]

🐝 Thanks for the great video 🌻 Amazing tips like always!!!

[@manolstoyanov2946]

Another great video. Thanks for all of your advice and help. Well done 👏

[@ufoman4468]

Time stands still for no one .Spring is all upon us again Great video once again Cheers Ben

[@smiles51]

So much brilliant advice! Thank you so much for inspiring me to get out and get gardening!❤

[@Arcticdi]

Your videos are so fun and informative. Thanks Ben!

[@amyaw98]

Just discovered your channel. Our garden has completely overgrown and the thought of clearing it & re-planting had been overwhelming. You are thoroughly inspiring, and now I've managed to clear 1/3 of the garden and 1/2 of the veggie patch. Last year I noticed a big drop in visits from native British birds (pigeons were aplenty!), and most of the bees were incredibly unwell. My focus this year is bringing in a variety of native species so that the local nature can thrive. Thank you for all the tips, encouragement, and digital tools. Next stop, shrub shopping! 🍒☀🌱

[@GrowVeg]

That's a really great focus to have - always great to work with nature. :-)

[@debbiestott3651]

You are super inspiring. This will be my 3rd year trying to get to grips with it all. Birds and slugs are my enemies and bolted onions were a bit of a heartbreak. You inspire me to keep going and as ever there is always something to learn. Great video Ben.

[@GrowVeg]

We are always learning - all of us! :-)

[@PlantObsessed]

I do enjoy the fact that you get into a mess. So many KZbin garden people are the clean nail types. Great video as always.😀👍🏼🪱

[@GrowVeg]

Gardeners always have a bit of dirt under their fingernails! :-)

[@tibabogdan9440]

Thanks for everything! You make the world a better place! Please keep up the good work and smiles!

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much! :-)

[@juliehartley3652]

Thank you Ben - you are such a happy gardener with lots of great tips. I love watching your videos they are very encouraging.

[@johnbaxter189]

Ben at his finest Brilliant show. Love ya Ben

[@GrowVeg]

Love ya back there John, thanks so much sir! :-)

[@christineh8714]

Thanks for brightening up the start to my week. Yes agreed...gardening does make your soul sing. Then sings my soul my saviour God to there, how great thou art!

[@jessb1065]

I was absolutely thrilled to see this video today, thanks for all your enthusiasm! Spring can't come soon enough ☀️

[@AndreaDingbatt]

Thank you so Much Again!! I spent almost all last year too ill to get any gardening done... I'm hoping that this year is going to be much better!! Again Thank you so Much for the tips and advice!!

[@ZerraChannel]

Fom .. Sweden w. Love for your channel.. I enjoy watching.. a lot !

[@anthonyparkinson1056]

Great video as always I’ve been down the allotment today starting a few things off some onions broccoli cauliflower and some sprouts

[@mycountrygardenchannel]

Hi Ben. Great informative video as always. Love your channel. All the best. Mags.

[@jaytoney3007]

I just started up-potting tomatoes today, and up-potted 36 Classic Beefsteak tomato seedlings. I have more Classic Beefsteak tomatoes to up-pot, Super Sweet 100, Grand Marshall, and Celebrity too. I'll probably up-pot my next batch Monday morning. After I am finished with the tomatoes, the peppers are next. I'll be up-potting over 100 pepper plants. Most of the plants I am repotting are for a spring plants sale, some are for my garden too.

[@GrowVeg]

Lots to look forward to there - you'll have loads to pick! :-)

[@FTFAllotment]

Lots of fun ideas! We're finding your channel VERY helpful in our allotment adventure!

[@annaroland5269]

Really enjoy your videos you make it all seem doable and approachable

[@nicky6579]

I’m planning my garden now and watching your video makes me want to get my hands in the dirt also!

[@christinebrooks6364]

Hi Ben, lots of helpful tips on forcing rhubarb & Strawberries. And reporting seedlings, too. Thanks for sharing and take care 😊

[@joanweightman2275]

Thank you😊. I needed this encouragement to get started after a grim winter. Have a great year. 😊

[@joyscott374]

Been ticking some jobs off my list too. Mulching, Venting tidying greenhouse & finally tackling a climbing rose, only to find you gave me a timely reminder to sort out my strarwberries.. Oh dear, i'll just have to spend tomorrow in the greenhouse again. 😂🤣😂 Thanks Ben you always brighten my day

[@paulinebyrne9620]

The bean and squash pit is a fantastic tip. Will definitely do that. You are certainly the best up there with the best 3. Thank you so much.😊

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much! :-)

[@toniedalton5448]

I am interested what you will do with your chicory ? It grows wild here in the Southern US. So beautiful blooming in all the hay fields around. Got my tomato seeds planted u see the heat lamp. Saved heirloom seeds from last year. Need some Roma's though. Gotta cut back my blackberries this week and top my apple tree. Have a blessed Sunday !!

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for watching Tonie. The chicory will be used to grow my own chicory coffee. More here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6m3hqKmi9ucrLssi=0xx7S5AV39k-V4dk

[@marjanmohaselfateh7813]

Thank you Ben for all your information I learned lots from you I love your garden ❤I love gardening thank you so much

[@lmullens75]

I have loved the garden planner from GrowVeg for a long time! I need to get back into it and look at rotation more this spring! It’s great for beginners, but once you have your area planned out and on there, removing and popping in new plants on the grid is easy.

[@GrowVeg]

So pleased you're enjoying the Garden Planner. Happy gardening! :-)

[@TheSandelinSofa]

Amazing videos!!❤ this is SO helpful for a new gardener like me. Thankful that you put your time and energy into helping others like me🤗😇 Thank you for all the valuable information and through explanations and positive attitude! And nice b-role. Its a joy to watch and listen! /greetings from Norway🤗

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much Katja, appreciate you watching. Happy gardening! :-)

[@TheSandelinSofa]

@@GrowVeg thank you🤗🤗 planning a lot! But find it tricky to get it all together with everything to think about (specially the crop rotation and which plants like to be with eachother and not hehe). Looking forward to the planting! :)

[@SashasGarden38]

I'm definitely taking this advice on transferring the🌱 when they're young because most people want to wait until they're big🤦🏾‍♀️😊 Awesome video 😊 I love your pond & your frogs

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for watching. I love my frogs and toads - they're such characters! :-)

[@bluestar.8938]

Thank you : )

[@Kitchenlabofficial]

Beautiful baby plants

[@dopapier]

Cheerful chappie aren’t you? I enjoy your enthusiasm. Here in Suffolk, UK, my rhubarb is well ahead of yours.

[@GrowVeg]

Nice one! I think my rhubarb got stalled by that cold snap. It's racing away now. Happy gardening! :-)

[@robklein583]

at the 8:40 mark Ben shoved a bamboo stick into the ground to mark where his compost pit was. always place an empty jelly jar or similar upside down on the stick for safety. then when you bend over to check your garden you won't poke your eye out by mistake. personally I use a short 5x5cm (2x2in) stake to mark such things. cut the stakes about 30cm (12in) and drive them in about 6 inches to mark your spot. I use orange spray paint from the dollar store to paint the top of each stake to make them easier to see. this system is inexpensive and very safe. good vid Ben as always.

[@GrowVeg]

Great advice, thank you - best to stay safe! :-)

[@napeekapunpimtongnara9111]

The ecosystem in your garden is so rich combined with the organic city created by real professionals. I saw that Luan Sui's soil was black in color, indicating that there were many nutrients in the soil. It was very good.

[@RelentlessHomesteading]

A warm winter its been here near Portland Oregon. Better get my starts going for an early season. You do a marvelous job of getting us all in the mood for garden chores... Thankyou

[@MMMMMJ123]

Love all the ideas, thank you

[@itsallaboutthebiology]

Thank you for the great information. I love learning as much as teaching, and you, my friend, are a great teacher. Much Respect.

[@sharonjennings1282]

Thanks for the tip On how to get a jump on all Of the weeds wanting to stay in my garden!!

[@brightantwerp]

Lots of love from Belgium. 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

[@GrowVeg]

Cheers so much - and to you! :-)

[@sallyfoster6156]

Handy tip....planting seed on its side. Going to try this. Thank you for all your great upbrat information. Really makes me feel great!

[@lilirehak5569]

GREAT video!

[@smile30981]

The 7" of snow that fell yesterday isn't so bad, now that I've watched your enthusiastic video that gets me excited for next month's cold crop seeding! I missed seeing Rosie in this one. Cheers!

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for watching! Rosie will be in the next video I believe! :-)

[@CherrieMcKenzie]

To the rescue once again. I didn't know you could force strawberries (even though mine have already started to flower) at least I now know why. The year should be fun!! Happy gardening!!

[@GrowVeg]

A fantastic growing season awaits! :-)

[@iltapuhde]

Wow, you really don't have much of a winter!😅 We're still in the middle of the winter with half a metre of snow and -10 Celcius degrees and I can't do any of that stuff before April!😄 But it's still always fun to watch your uplifting videos and get inspired!❤👍

[@GrowVeg]

Yes, sorry - I'm aware I'm perhaps luckier than others. Thanks for watching and I hope you've got lots of exciting plans for the coming season. :-)

[@lyndaturner6686]

Thanks for the boost of enthusiasm Ben always gets me thinking what I should be doing.👍

[@Silvereagledude]

Good stuff, Ben

[@marcymcfly2641]

I found your channel 2 weeks ago and I find your video inspirational! I live in the Highlands so I have to delay some of your tasks but I find them great as reminders of tasks to do in the garden. Mostly I found you authentic and genuine and your joy is contagious!

[@GrowVeg]

That's lovely to read - thanks so much for watching. You live in a stunning part of the world. :-)

[@karenritchie4952]

Hi ben a friend gave me really good tip when flowers appear spinkle with sulphate of amoner i had a barrow full of tubs full of strawberries about 15 to 20 i made loads of conserve jam gave them to friend's in a hamper with my pickled onion's

[@AlienSKP]

I wish I was as delicate as you are to transplant seedlings 😅 I seed right into the trays and keep the strongest. It takes more room but less time

[@sarahdyer1967]

I’m so glad You Tube put you on my recommend to watch list! I’ve got tons of videos to catch up on and Ben is such a good presenter. ❤

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much Sarah - I'm delighted you've found this channel. Welcome! :-)

[@anabravo3581]

Great video! thank you from the Netherlands 🌱☀

[@skippidybapmdada6969]

Do them nice and young 😭 I do love your videos and needed this one now too to head start my garden as the climate gets better 🙂

[@michlardot2215]

Hey good job Keep on growing ❤

[@DruidJo]

Here in the states bananas are a staple, in my home at least. I grind, or mince my peels and add it directly to the potting soil, with any other ground kitchen remnants. I make my own teas. It really stretches the potting soil. With the inflation here any tips to stretch a buck are great. You always have great videos. Thanks so much for sharing your extensive knowledge.

[@GrowVeg]

What a great idea! :-)

[@dougquinton4040]

Brilliant videos. You remind me of Mr Maker 😀

[@DownButNotOutYet]

Good morning Ben, thank for a lovely presentation of gardening preparation, love the small pond for the toads and frogs. They are wonderful in the garden. We had an old boy at night he came in through the sliding door and gave a few croaks, fortunately we were alert and guided him outside again. Have not seen toady for a while maybe he moved premises. Thank you Ben for good soil advice, we did compost burying, it makes a vast difference to the soil. Do take care until next time. Keep snug, kind regards.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for watching. Lovely to have a croaking visitor - they add so much character to the garden I reckon. :-)

[@EHOinExile]

Ben's video was the launch pad for me to get an early start to sowing seeds. To do this I got an old minibar fridge from a hotel doing a clear out and strung a load of LEDs inside. A single 25W compact fluorescent bulb provide just enough heat and yet more light. Inside this insulated box the temperature gets to 30oC (86oF) even on frosty days. I've got high hopes!

[@GrowVeg]

What a superb idea - love it!

[@Tastygarybites]

Another info packed video , excited this spring I started my compost heap last year so it’s my first year using my own compost 😃 I have a coffee shop so it’s got a good balance of coffee grounds in there

[@moranmike36]

Thank you

[@Tastygarybites]

I love growing cucumbers and it’s so fun when you find a whopper hiding at the back

[@GrowVeg]

They have a habit of lurking! :-)

[@janenewley1014]

I’ve given up growing radishes in Spring…slugs and flea beetle attack…But do still grow Black Russian winter radish and mooli😀😀😀Jinxy

[@GrowVeg]

Mooli is the king of radishes - lovely stuff! :-)

[@Josef_R]

8:44 We call that a mosquito incubation chamber.

[@alexgrowsfood]

Thanks Ben! Great one as always and reassuring to see you moving the strawberries into the greenhouse too. Now if only I could remember how to pronounce Honeoye... 2:38

[@GrowVeg]

Hi Alex. Thanks for your kind comment. And well done on your recent GMG Award by the way - a worth winner! I can't pronounce 'Honeoye' either!

[@Mortimer1959]

When putting canes into the ground, be sure to cover the protruding point

[@GrowVeg]

Wise words Steve!

[@loraramsey9419]

The time is10-23 Sat. Feb 3 pm just wanted see next videos in your growing garden

[@ollyeccles]

Watch out for digging in food scraps if you have badgers, they will easily dig up the whole bed -found out the hard way last year!

[@GrowVeg]

Yes, very wise words of caution there! :-)

[@oceansoul3694]

I know what you mean about the expensive Hybrids, but I buy them anyway and they do produce well. I'm looking for your video on stratification, I've got 4 packages of seeds that need the cold treatment and I can't remember if you moisten them in paper towel or coffee filters or soak them first. Thank you for another great video!!

[@GrowVeg]

Yes indeed, the hybrids do come good in the end by cropping really well and being so reliable. :-)

[@chrisholdread174]

Hey Ben, Love the channel and your enthusiasm for gardening. I've learned a number of good tips form you but hopefully in this comment I can give you a tip. Though I imagine you might already know this. Those pallet collars you're using as raised beds, They rot. out. Fast. The bed you dig into at 7:30 is dark from being saturated with water. 10 years ago when I moved into this house I started a garden using pallet collars I got from an industrial job I had, and even though my climate is dryer than yours, Eastern New Mexico USA, after 2 maybe 3 years they were rotted out. Pallet collars are great for beginners to make raised beds but they are at the bottom of the list for longevity. This year I finally said enough with wooden beds and built a sheet metal bed. Hopefully next year the remaining wood beds get replaced with metal.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for the tip. I've had some of my pallet beds for four years now and they're still going strong, but I totally agree they're not going to be the longest living beds. I'll need to upgrade soon and I like the idea of those tall metal beds. We'll see. Thanks for watching. :-)

[@alicemcilroy8805]

​@@GrowVegI don't understand the popularity of those metal beds. Surely they would make the soil colder in winter and bake it in summer? Seems to me some form of brick or stone would be better, and infinitely more aesthetic. In your area you couldn't do better than replacing them with local cotswold stone when the time comes.

[@lilal3753]

Glad you found your shoe. LOL

[@GrowVeg]

I was beginning to worry! :-)

[@lostpony4885]

I completed my greenhouse a month ago so i have last years peppers wintering and slips of last years tomatos and lots of strawberries....arriving at 3 and 4 years old some are little tiny trees now. Slowly fattening berries...

[@testingtesting-yu5gd]

I love your greenhouse. Did you build it or how did you come by it? It looks like it is slightly below ground and I wondered if that helps with weather or if it was an esthetic choice? Thank you for your great advice and informative videos!

[@GrowVeg]

The greenhouse was here when we moved here, so I'm not sure how it was made or when. It is sort of dug into the slope of the hill, which somewhere helps to shelter it too.

[@jessidutton3441]

Ben, any tips for growing carrots? I've gardener 30 years and have never had a successful crop. I'm in zone 7, usa

[@GrowVeg]

Use fresh seed and sow once the soil has warmed up a little. Keep everything nice and moist in dry weather and give them a sunny spot. This video may help I hope: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKfRkHt-fqdpqq8si=l1dWROx67-OCAvs6

[@kf2572]

Ben, please mention or better yet, put in the about section what growing zone you're in. Thanks and keep the great vids coming!

[@GrowVeg]

I keep on forgetting to do that, you're right! I'm in zone 8. :-)

[@rm709]

Chapters would have been very helpful. Thanks

[@GrowVeg]

Good point - they usually show. I'll look into this. Thanks for the heads up. :-)

[@corygraff]

I'm sure you have been asked before, but what USDA Hardiness Zone are you equivalent to? I use the Garden Planner for planting dates which is great, but many of your videos (like this one) have activities not directly related to planting and I would love to know when I should do them in my zone (5B). It seems I am at least a month behind you, maybe 2!

[@GrowVeg]

I suspect you may be. I'm in zone 8. :-)