Extension

Late winter is a great time to establish a composting program. Composting reduces household waste and enriches the soil by converting leftovers and yard waste into a rich humus over a period of time. Planning now, while the garden is still fallow, allows you to decide on a method that best suits your family’s needs and to settle into a routine before gardening season starts.

This month look for this wonderfully, flavorful vegetable at your local farmer’s market. Asparagus packs in a ton of good vitamins and minerals in those stalks! Steam it, pickle it, sauté it, roast it — the possibilities are endless!

When buying asparagus, choose stalks that are bright green with purple shaded tight tips; these are the most tender and tasty. It is best to cook it soon after buying, because asparagus can become tough and woody after several days.

Starting plants from seed early and transplanting them to the garden is a time-honored, economical and rewarding gardening tradition. Germinating seed at home increases the options for fall planting, when garden centers have stopped carrying a full array of plants, and it allows the home gardener to use saved seeds from unusual or favorite varieties that might be unavailable or hard to find.