With the cold and blustery weather of a Syracuse March, it’s sometimes hard to believe spring is within our reach. Spring Break is almost here, and though the ground may be frozen, now is the time to welcome the coming season with the start of our own gardens.

Though it may be tough to look ahead, March is the time to begin indoor cultivation of the tiny seeds that will become our summer harvests.

College is not commonly related to growing your own food, and it may be hard for some of us living in residence halls or other small spaces. But if you have the room, it’s time to get those green thumbs back in action.

With a huge expanse of tips and information, the famous Farmers’ Almanac recommends that indoor germination of many seeds should start between March 2-17 – including delectable broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, peppers and tomatoes.

Though relocating these plants to the outdoors won’t be comprehensible until mid-April to May, it’s important to start some seeds now. Many vegetables need time and love before the ground is no longer frozen in order to germinate and sprout, becoming strong before they are assimilated into outside world.

Growing your own vegetables may seem daunting, and though it involves time and money, it’s worth the try. If you’re planning on staying in the area during the summer, keeping a small garden can be fun and rewarding by the first harvest.

Imagine all summer having your own bountiful harvest of local vegetables. You’ll have the advantage of knowing what was used to grow your food, with or without pesticides or fertilizers.

You can grow organically without a label from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and know your food hasn’t traveled thousands of miles, expending tons of fossil fuels, to make it to your plate. Best of all, in the long run, you can actually save money.

If you’re not staying in the area, many small plants can manage a short- to medium-length drive. Try germinating a couple of tomato seeds – decently hearty plants that could make it home in a car trip.

Even if you don’t have the room for a small garden, a number of these plants can survive indoors or on a patio. Tomatoes are another good example of this. Products like the Topsy-Turvy upside-down tomato grower have become popular due to tomatoes’ enthusiastic growing nature.

Growing your own food is not possible for everyone. If it seems near impossible, don’t fret. You may not have the time or space for gardening. Local farms are also approaching the beginning of their growing seasons, offering plenty of opportunities to purchase local fruits and vegetables.

It is important to remember that growing anything takes time, and farmers’ markets will start up again in full force, around the time seeds should be moved outdoors.

The time has come again – time for fruits and vegetables grown in the places we call home. Though growing seasons vary depending on climates, Syracuse crops can begin indoors this month, and in a couple months, you can reap the benefits from your own work.

Wherever you live, there are options for everyone this growing season. Find what works best for you, and happy eating.

Meg Callaghan is a junior environmental studies major at SUNY-ESF. Her column appears weekly. She can be reached at mlcallag@syr.edu.

Published on March 6, 2013 at 1:10 am