Time To Plant The Garden

The daffodils and magnolia bush are blooming here.  Nothing smells more beautiful!  

Welcome Spring!

Are you thinking about planting a garden for the first time or just want to get a better crop this year?  Here are a few tips to help you get started!

Soil Preparation
Soil preparation is the most important part of gardening.  First, you need to check your soil to see if it is workable.  Pick up a handful of soil and squeeze it.  If it stays in a clump then it is too wet to work.  If it crumbles and falls apart, it's ready to go!  Adding organic matter to your soil allows the plants breathe, supplies nutrients and holds water longer.  I recommend a good organic compost from your local nursery or farmer.  Mix your compost in with your soil by using a shovel or large cultivator.  I suggest avoid tilling the ground more than once if you choose to do so.  Tilling can easily break down soil structure and kill soil microbes that protect the plants, resulting in weak, unhealthy plants.  This process can be done for all flower and vegetable beds.

Are Raised Garden Beds Better?
The advantages of raised garden beds are that they warm up faster allowing for a longer growing season and decreases compaction.  Whether you have garden boxes or just raise the beds from the ground on your own be sure to keep them 3-4 feet wide with 1 ft paths in between the beds. 

Fertilizer
Compost has a lot of nutrients to sustain seeds germination and growth.  However, if you want to fertilize, be sure to do it 2 weeks before direct seeding and planting or 2 weeks after.  Some great organic fertilizers can be found at any local nursery or country store.  Alfalfa meal, Epsom salts, Bone Meal, Cotton Seed Meal, Blood Meal and Fish Emulsion are all great options.

What Can Be Planted Now?

Cold Crops prefer temps of 55-75 degrees, can with stand light frosts with minimal damage, seeds germinate at a minimum soil temp of 40 degrees and an optimum temp of 65 – 75 degrees.  These crops include Hardy and Semi-Hardy.

Hardy Crops can be planted from March 15th - May15th and include:

Asparagus (perennial)

Rhubarb (perennial) 

Broccoli (can be planted through July 15^th)

Kohlrabi

Onions
Peas (plant through May 15^th)

Radishes (plant through September 1^st)

Spinach

Turnips

Semi Hardy Crops can be planted 1-2 weeks after the first group, March 20th - May 1st

Beets (plant through July 15^th)

Carrots (plant through June 15^th)

Cauliflower (plant through July 1^st)

Endive (plant through July 15^th)

Lettuce

Parsley

Parsnips

Potatoes

Swiss Chard (plant through July 1^st)