HINGHAM, Mass. - BostonChron -- Welcome to an exciting new edition of Food Gardening Magazine! This, friends, is the time gardeners dream of! I imagine that might sound strange, given that it's February and many of us in four-season climates are still looking at temperatures well below freezing.

Spring is on the way. The sun is rising a little earlier each day and setting a little later. Soon we'll be getting out the row covers and spreading mulch. For now, though, it's time to start seeds!

This edition of Food Gardening Magazine is all about the excitement of starting seeds and getting ready for spring gardening. Of course, there's more than one way to start seeds, and we'll explore several of them so you can determine which is the best for you. We're also looking at some of the essential garden tools you'll need for the season, whether you're just starting out or it's time to refresh the tool shed.

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Here's a look at some of what's sprouting in the February Issue of Food Gardening Magazine:

●      6 Essential Gardening Tools for Beginners to Buy in February: The first warm day after winter is the day everyone goes to get their gardening supplies, and even the online stores sell out of the high-quality stuff. Now is a great time to stock up on all the things you think you'll need and get a little garden shopping therapy out of it while anticipating seed-starting time.

●      The Best Seed-Starting Methods for Max Germination: There are a variety of methods for seed starting, including seed flats, seed tapes, seed mats, and peat pots, as well as numerous non-traditional methods. Which of these is the best? There's one key that will make almost all of these methods equally productive.

●      Growing Microgreens: Kits vs. DIY: Growing microgreens is a great way to scratch the gardening itch in the winter, but which way is better: a store-bought kit, or the old tried and true take-out container filled with soil and seeds? Find out in this article!

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●      How to Make Cauliflower Crust Pizza: Cauliflower crust gets a bad rap for difficulty, but it's a lot easier to make than most people think. You just have to know this one trick.

The latest issue of Food Gardening Magazine also features our deep dive collections on raspberries, blackberries, and cherries and can be seen at https://foodgardening.mequoda.com/toc/magazine-february-2023/. You'll get tons of tips for growing these three exciting plants, from choosing the type you want to grow to prepping your garden and all the way through harvesting and enjoying them in your kitchen.