Pictured is a Green Thumb Award winner. More pictures, taken by Joan Barton.

Garden planning began in earnest for seasoned gardeners when seed catalogs started arriving in January and as flower related ads increased online. Our single-digit days were a little less brutal when surveying seed offerings from favorite suppliers.

Now months later, seed displays greet everyone at local retailers or big box stores. Zone 4 is now within the planting window of “sow indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost.” With a bright window sill or under grow lights, it is time.

Ready, set, sow!

Seed hoarding is not a crime. Plant the number of seeds that your conditions support and save the rest for next year. Leftover seeds stored in a dry, cool place in an airtight container remain viable for years. Even though a packet reads “packed for 2023,” most seeds that were previously successful are likely to grow in 2025, just with a lower germination rate.

When seeking growing advice, look to local services such as the Cornell Extension. If relying on online coaching for growing support and recommendations, be sure the provider represents Zone 4 conditions.

The Garden Club of Lake Placid Green Thumb Award winners are pictured.

The ground temperature is a better indicator than air temp of when seeds will germinate and thrive. For this same reason heat mats are used to improve seed growth even when sowing inside. When a packet says direct sow after danger of frost is past (around June 1), do the math.

Seeds needing 90 days to reach maturity will begin displaying blooms in late August even in optimum conditions. Some with shorter maturity times include sweet peas, nasturtiums, morning glory, sunflower, phlox, sulfur cosmos, zinnia and marigolds.

Nasturtiums and sweet peas like cool temperatures, but most of these thrive in hot summer, full sun environments. If you are hoping for a colorful garden display by the Fourth of July, direct sown seeds will be a disappointment.

The other option is to relegate most flowering varieties to nursery shopping for healthy plants to transplant after June 1.

Established nurseries and pop up garden centers are a welcome option for the home gardener to do border or container planting with colorful, continuous blooming annuals.

The Garden Club of Lake Placid Green Thumb Award winners are pictured, including Martina Tavel-Lawrence at right.

The search for your favorites may result in some extra impulse purchases. The joy is the same. You have plants!

The Garden Club of Lake Placid encourages you to plant garden beds and containers by sharing last season’s Green Thumb Award winners. The award recognizes homeowners who have taken their time planting and demonstrating the love of gardening.

Members of the Green Thumb Award committee drive within the community throughout summer noting examples of beautiful gardens and creative plantings.

Four awards were given in early fall last year with each garden’s approach being unique and all were very different. The following homeowners received a handcrafted copper plaque and daffodil bulbs, both to be put into their beautiful gardens. Recipients included: Cathy Johnston, Elm Street; Pam Karaz, Stone Road; Martina Tavel-Lawrence, John Brown Road; and Crystal Richards, Alford Lane.

These residents with new or outstanding gardens help to inspire other home owners to beautify our neighborhoods and village. The Executive Board of the Garden Club of Lake Placid is currently arranging for our 92nd year a very interesting calendar of activities and events. The program will be shared with all attending our opening meeting at the Mirror Lake Inn on May 7. Anyone with an interest in joining the club, can check us out at — gardencluboflakeplacid.org — OR — contact club president, Joan Barton, at LPgardenclubinfo@gmail.com. We are always excited to welcome new members.

Pat Hofbauer is in charge of publicity for the Garden Club of Lake Placid.