Hunter Mawhinney pushes soil down over a seed she just planted Friday at the Alfond Youth & Community Center greenhouse in Waterville. Like Mawhinney, Amy Calder learned gardening from an early age. When these seeds sprout, the plants will be offered for sale at the AYCC Kids Garden Program’s annual seedling sale May 15, 16 and 23. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

As winter wears on, marked by dirty snowbanks and gray skies, it’s awfully nice to have something upbeat to ponder.

For me, it’s my summer vegetable gardens: what I might plant this year, where I’ll buy seeds and seedlings and what will go where in the garden plots.

I grew up in and around my father’s large vegetable gardens, so I learned gardening by osmosis, you might say. I have grown two small gardens for many summers — one at our home in Waterville and another at camp.

It is a favorite thing to do, prepping, planting, weeding and tending gardens, as well as reaping the harvest. The vegetables taste so good and fresh, and I feel a sense of accomplishment when I’m able to pluck juicy tomatoes and cucumbers from the garden in summer, slice them up and drizzle olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper over the top. It’s a simple delight, reminiscent of my childhood.

As I look out over our snowy backyard, leafless trees and water dripping off the roof, I dream about summer gardens. I also think about those who have never had a garden (Oh, what they are missing!) and how they might best learn to grow one, from start to finish.

So I contacted Katherine Garland, a horticulturist with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and, at her request, emailed her some questions ahead of our phone interview.

I asked when it is best to buy seeds, when one should plant them indoors if they choose to grow seedlings, and if there are vegetables that are easier than others to plant, particularly for beginners. What type of soil should one use? When should one start planting, both indoors and outdoors? How does one prepare a garden space? What are the benefits of gardening? And so on.

Katherine Garland Photo courtesy of University of Maine Cooperative Extension

Garland acknowledged that each topic is huge on its own and recommended I check out some UMaine Cooperative Extension resources online that are helpful, including a bulletin and video as well as a terrific series of videos that addresses all sorts of gardening questions.

Several very knowledgeable, pleasant staff at the Cooperative Extension are featured in the series and do a wonderful job of laying out the entire process in a way that makes it understandable.

I enjoyed every minute of the series, including the gentle, colorful way in which they present the art of gardening — making it seem so doable, and fun. I told Garland so when we spoke by phone.

“I am so in awe of my colleagues and the work they put into this,” she said.

I asked her about the best seeds to buy. Is there a difference between seeds you might purchase, for instance, at a large chain store, and those you order from well-known seed companies?

It depends, Garland said. Some companies may have higher quality seeds, whereas those that are less costly at a large store may have lower germination rates. While one may be able to order more specific varieties from well-known seed companies, she said, there are some excellent seed companies right in Maine, and local garden centers are thoughtful about the seeds they carry and try to offer those they know work well in this region.

“I, personally, really like to keep my dollars as close as possible,” she said.

Certain varieties and types of vegetables are easier to grow than others, according to Garland, who said she puts beans in that category. Also typically reliable are peas, tomatoes, cukes and zucchini.

Farmers markets are great places to find not only seedlings, fresh vegetables and other produce, but the farmers and patrons are also a great source for gardeners with questions, Garland said.

Hunter Mawhinney, left, Alexa Lee and Madyson Bergeron plant seeds Friday as Zoe Mason, garden and greenhouse coordinator, watches in the Alfond Youth & Community Center greenhouse in Waterville. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Gardening, she said, is good for so many reasons. It gives people control over what is in their food and it’s a healthful activity, both physically and mentally.

“Just physically being outside in the garden, bending over, weeding the garden, being part of the harvest and just getting fresh air is so tremendously good for you,” she said. “I’ve seen a lot of healing happening in gardens.”

The Cooperative Extension has a presence in every Maine county, with horticulturists such as Garland working in each one. She covers Franklin, Somerset, Piscataquis and Penobscot counties and coordinates the Master Gardener Volunteer program, in which people are trained to support gardeners. They receive in-depth training in the art and science of horticulture and volunteer their time and expertise in educational and food security projects.

Garland also coordinates teams for the extension’s Maine Harvest for Hunger program, where farmers and other volunteers grow and donate produce to those in need. Since the program’s inception in 2000, about 4 million pounds of food have been donated, Garland said.

“The need is huge,” she said. “We donate hundreds of thousands of pounds every year, and it’s never enough.”

Amy Calder has been a Morning Sentinel reporter 36 years. Her columns appear here Saturdays. She is the author of the book, “Comfort is an Old Barn,” a collection of her curated columns, published in 2023 by Islandport Press. She may be reached at acalder@centralmaine.com. For previous Reporting Aside columns, go to centralmaine.com