Spring Fever in Boise: My Gardening Prep Journey Begins!
As the chilly grip of winter finally starts to loosen here in Boise, I can hardly contain my excitement for spring. The promise of warmer days, blooming flowers, and the chance to dig my hands into the soil has me buzzing with anticipation. I kicked off my gardening prep in the best way possible—by attending a planting class at our local greenhouse. It was the perfect way to shake off the winter blues and get inspired for the growing season ahead. With my plans taking shape, I’m ready to share how I’m gearing up for planting and what I’ve got in store for my garden this year.
A Morning of Learning at the Greenhouse
This morning’s class at the greenhouse was a game-changer. Surrounded by fellow gardening enthusiasts, I soaked up tips from the pros on soil prep, seed starting, and timing—crucial stuff for Boise’s unique climate. We’ve got those crisp spring mornings and warm afternoons to work with, but the threat of a late frost always keeps us on our toes. The session got me itching to get started, and I left with a notebook full of ideas and a renewed sense of purpose. There’s something so invigorating about being around plants and people who love them as much as I do!
My Big Purchase: Epic Gardening Raised Beds
One of the most exciting steps I’ve taken is ordering the Epic Gardening 29" Tall Birdies Raised Garden Beds for my herb and vegetable garden. I’ve been eyeing these beauties for a while, and I finally pulled the trigger. At 29 inches tall, they’re perfect for reducing strain on my back, and their modular design means I can customize them to fit my yard. Made from durable aluzinc steel, they promise decades of use—ideal for someone like me who’s in it for the long haul. I can already picture them brimming with fresh veggies and fragrant herbs, and I’m counting down the days until they arrive.
CAN'T WAIT TO SET THIS UP!
Pots for Herbs and a Front Door Upgrade
While the raised beds will be the backbone of my garden, I’ve decided to plant most of my herbs in pots. I love the flexibility pots offer—easy to move around as the sun shifts or if I want to rearrange my patio. Plus, they’re a great way to keep invasive herbs like mint in check. I also just snagged some stylish new pots for next to my front door: these 26-inch rectangular planters from Amazon. They’re sleek, modern, and big enough to make a statement. I will layer in some tall grasses with vibrant flowers that bloom all summer.
Prepping for Planting: What’s Happening Now
With spring on the horizon, I’m not just sitting around daydreaming (though there’s plenty of that too). I’ve started sketching out my garden layout, factoring in sunny spots and the partial shade near the house. The raised beds will need filling, so I’m researching a mix of topsoil, compost, and drainage materials—those Birdies beds are bottomless, which is awesome for soil health but means I’ve got to get the foundation right. I’m also gathering my tools and making sure I have my list ready for when I hit the stores for my shopping spree.
Raised Beds vs. Pots: What to Plant Where
Deciding what goes in the raised beds versus pots can feel like a puzzle, but here’s how I’m breaking it down—and some advice for anyone else planning their garden:
Raised Beds: These are perfect for crops that need space to sprawl or deeper soil for roots. In my Epic Gardening beds, I’m planting:
Tomatoes: Raised beds give tomatoes the deep, warm soil they crave, which speeds up growth in Boise’s sometimes cool spring. The 29-inch depth of your Epic Gardening beds is perfect for their roots, and you can set up trellises easily to keep them upright and productive—more fruit, less sprawl.
Lettuce: With raised beds, you’ve got the space to plant lettuce in rows or patches for daily harvests—fresh salads on demand. The loose soil stays workable, and the beds’ drainage keeps it from getting too wet, which lettuce hates. It’s quick to grow, so you can replant as you go.
Bell peppers: These love the consistent warmth raised beds provide, especially since they take a while to mature. The extra soil depth supports their roots, and Boise’s sunny days pair well with the beds’ ability to heat up, giving you a solid pepper haul by summer.
Dill: This herb plays nice with lettuce and bell peppers, attracting pollinators and repelling some pests. Raised beds give it room to stretch out—its taproot needs depth—and you can position it as a companion without crowding. Plus, it’s low-fuss once established.
Cucumber: Raised beds make cucumbers a breeze since they can sprawl or climb a trellis you set up. The warm, well-drained soil keeps them happy, and the height of your Birdies beds means less bending to harvest—perfect for Boise’s short-but-sweet growing season.
Basil: For your summer pesto fix, raised beds offer the space and warmth basil needs to thrive. It loves the sun and good drainage your beds provide, and you can plant it near tomatoes or peppers for a flavor boost—pesto dreams start here.
Marigolds: These are pest-repellent champs, drawing in beneficial insects like ladybugs to protect your veggies. In raised beds, they’re easy to tuck around the edges or between plants, adding color and function without taking up prime growing space.
Spring onions: Pairing these with lettuce in a raised bed maximizes your salad game. They don’t need much room, so you can interplant them without crowding, and the loose soil in your beds helps their bulbs form fast—ready to pull whenever you need a fresh bite.
Pots: Ideal for flowers, herbs and compact plants that I want close to the kitchen or front door. My lineup includes:
Rosemary: This hardy herb thrives in full sun, which Boise gets plenty of in spring and summer. Pots let you position it in the sunniest spot—like near your front door—and ensure the sharp drainage it needs, since it hates soggy roots.
Mint: Mint’s a notorious spreader—plant it in the ground, and it’ll take over your yard faster than you can say "mojito." Keeping it in a pot contains its aggressive roots, letting you enjoy it without regret. You can move it around too, which is handy if you want it close to the kitchen.
Chives: These grow in neat little clumps and don’t need much space, making pots a practical choice. They like consistent moisture, and a pot lets you control watering better than a raised bed might, especially during Boise’s dry spells.
Parsley: Parsley does well in pots because it prefers steady soil conditions—rich and moist but not waterlogged. In a pot, you can fine-tune the soil mix and keep it out of the heavier spring rains that might swamp it in a raised bed. It’s also convenient to have nearby for cooking since it’s a slow grower you’ll harvest often.
For more inspiration and help planning your own garden, head over to The Beginner's Garden. Jill has amazing content and her podcast is so educational!
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