From the first crocus emerging from the frosty ground to the sweet song of the robins, we anticipate spring's return. It is a joy to get outdoors and begin to work the soil.

The following tips have helped me create more beautiful and bountiful gardens. I hope they will help you get your growing season off to a good start too.

The United States Department of Agriculture 2012 plant hardiness map places the northern third of Butler County in Zone 5b and the southern two-thirds in Zone 6a.

Except for the most southern areas, Butler County's average last killing frost date ranges from May 11 to May 20, although frosts as late as June are not surprising.

Knowing growing zones and killing frost dates is vital when planting vegetables and buying plant material.

Plant container labels provide hardiness information as well as the plant's requirements for sunshine, shade and watering.

When choosing a new garden site, determine how much sun the area receives; six to eight hours a day is best for most vegetables and sun loving plants.

The site should have good drainage, protection from high winds and be convenient to a water source.

Decide how much time your schedule allows for weeding, feeding and harvesting your vegetables and you won't be overwhelmed once your garden starts growing.

Start small — two zucchini plants are enough for a family.

Add six each of tomato and pepper plants and a small patch of lettuce and you'll get far more harvest than with a larger garden that is over-run with weeds and not properly cared for.

Mulch your gardens. Flowers and vegetables perform better when mulched.

Bark mulch is good for flower gardens; grass clippings, newspaper, straw or landscape fabric work best in a vegetable garden.

Invest in fence for your vegetable garden to protect your plants and harvest from critters like rabbits and deer.

Feed the soil. Butler County's soil of acid clay, shale and interbedded sandstone with shallow loam depth is not great for growing.

But a little work can change any soil to a healthy ecosystem that supports the plants' needs as well as beneficial insects and micro-organisms.

Turn rocky clay into healthy loam.

Add sand, peat moss and mushroom manure to loosen the soil.

Add organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure from grazing animals or chickens to naturally improve soil fertility and structure.

Have your soil tested.

You can purchase a Penn State Extension soil test kit at the Extension office or online for $9.

Test results will tell you what type and how much fertilizer to add to your garden.

Organic fertilizers release nutrients slowly which means you fertilize less frequently.

Also, organic fertilizers are better for the beneficial creatures in the soil.

Good air circulation is crucial for vegetable plants, so space them far enough apart to completely dry after rain or watering. Properly spaced plants and morning watering will help combat fungus.

If you have more questions about starting your garden, call The Greenline, the Master Gardeners' telephone hotline at (724) 287-4761, Ext. 229.

<i>Diane Walczak has gardened since childhood and has been a Butler County Master Gardener since 2010. She shares her Prospect farm with her husband, daughter, son-in-law, grandson, a horse, a few hens, swans and dogs. Her favorite garden is her pollinator garden, but she also enjoys vegetable, shade and rock gardening.</i>