Spring will be here before we know it, and now is the time to begin planning your 2022 garden.

Start thinking about which vegetables, fruits, and/or flowers you want for the coming year. Once decided, you can begin preparing your seeds. The first step is deciding which type of container you want to use.

There are several varieties of containers. Greenhouses tend to use 6-cell, plastic compartment containers. This type is inexpensive, stackable, and easy to store from year to year. Unfortunately, this type of container cannot be recycled; however, it can be cleaned and reused.

Peat pots, a combination of peat moss and wood, are available in different styles. They can be purchased in 6-cells, similar to the plastic kind, single-cell, and also in a pellet pod form. Peat pots should be handled with care as they become fragile once they get wet.

This container is made by compressing peat moss, wood pulp, and other organic material into different shapes. Some peat pots are compressed into small pellets, making them easier to store.

When using any kind of peat pot, the number one thing to remember is to always soak the container in water for a few minutes, which provides the seedling the right amount of moisture to be growing. Oversoaking will cause the pot to fall apart.

Peat pots are great for seedlings with sensitive roots, like leaf lettuce, radishes, peas, and corn. The entire pot with the seed is planted without disrupting the roots.

When using plastic, the soil and roots must be removed gently and then planted.

You can also save empty yogurt containers, plastic cups, or other disposable containers. This is a great way to reuse everyday items. Just remember to clean the containers thoroughly and poke holes in the bottom for drainage.

This year I am using a combination of plastic and peat. In addition, I purchased 3-inch single plastic pots. The cost of this larger container is a little more, but this type of container is sturdier and can be reused for many years.

Happy gardening!