Fending off the cold and reports of impending snowstorms, we gardeners are trying to find a bit of a bright spot and seeking out online sources today led me to Wagner's Greenhouse a local nursery with some nice tips on everything from houseplants to vegetables to lawn care.

How to Plant Vegetable Container Gardens

Here is a helpful video on planting container gardens.

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We have a large yard - about 3/4 acre which is pretty big for this area. We also have several oak trees which provide some fabulous shade and hours of entertainment due to the variety of birds and the squirrel population. What it doesn't provide is a great place for a vegetable garden and my dedication to flowers means the sunny areas are filled with perennial beds. I have toyed with the idea of cutting down a couple of Boxelder trees in the back of our lot so I could gain some more sunny real estate but until we do that I have to use alternative methods for planting vegetables.

One of those methods is container gardening. Some of the advantages are:

• No digging or tilling and container gardening is virtually weed-free.
• Containers can be fit to any location for the best light for each variety.
• Minimal tools are needed to get started with this hobby so it's relatively inexpensive.
• More control over growing conditions such as watering and nutrients.
• Get a jump start on the season - you don't have to wait for the earth to warm and in the even of a May snowstorm - you can easily pull them in the garage overnight if necessary.

Coming soon will be some details on container options.

Yes, we are buried in snow right now so thoughts of the garden might be far from your mind. Depending on the species, winter can be a good time to trim trees and certain shrubs because they are dormant and not susceptible to pests. Check with your local extension office for up to date information.

This is also the best time to plan your garden for the coming season. Once spring arrives, you will want to have a list of seeds and plants and a layout for your planting beds. Looking through seed catalogs and checking online sources is a great distraction from the wintery weather.