Kyrie Lokhaiser, Pennsylvania Draft Horse and Mule Association Queen, stands by as Vanessa Brownley and Barry Utz plow a garden plot at the Sunnyview complex April 13.

The planting season is now on the agenda. We will fear frost until Memorial Day, but many gardeners in Butler County are plowing and planting early.

Now is the time to plan for your garden and there is plenty of space at the Sunnyview complex for garden lovers. The plots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Each year, the Butler County Conservation District provides these plots. The gardens are 35-feet by 40-feet. They are plowed and harrowed.

There are many people with green thumbs who aspire to be the first in their neighborhoods with a homegrown tomato. It is an inspiration to see people with a genuine love for growing vegetables. They take pride in their work, keeping their gardens neat and weed free.

There are many shortcuts that help the wise home gardener enjoy a great harvest.

Mulch helps keep weeds out of the soil and conserves moisture. Straw works as well as mulch. My grandfather from Hungary used cardboard, newspapers and boards to control weeds and keep moisture in the soil.

Gardeners can use cow manure for fertilizer, but be careful because cow manure can contain large amounts of weed seeds. The weeds can then become very hard to control.

It is wise to create a compost pile from grass clippings, leaves and kitchen waste to fertilize a garden.

Keep in mind that Sunnyview gardeners must supply their own water.

Gardening can be hard work. But when people love what they’re doing, the labor doesn’t seem so difficult.

And gardening can be therapeutic, lifting one’s spirits. It’s great to be outdoors after a long winter like we had this year. The groundhog got our hopes up in February that winter would be short, but his forecast proved incorrect.

Gardening is a good activity for families who can share the load.

Organizations and church groups may want to plant a plot, too.

There is much satisfaction to be had by growing and maintaining a garden, and the vegetables just seem to taste better.

Anyone interested in planting at Sunnyview should contact the Conservation District at 724-284-5270 to reserve a plot.

Ron Fodor is manager of the Butler County Conservation District.