Spring is approaching and gardening along with it. For those in their first or second year of gardening, you may be in need of some reminders to get the season off to a good start. If you could use some guidance, the following offers some suggestions, tips and a bit of information. For specific guidelines, you may wish to contact your local agricultural or university extension office.
The first thing to do is to decide on what vegetables, herbs and flowers you would like to grow and obtain the seeds. Some are tender to the frost and are best started indoors in a warm area; others are hardier and can be planted outdoors from an early date.
Start indoors before the last frost (tender):
3 months before – Chives, Globe Artichoke, Leeks and Onions indoors
2 &1/2 months before – Celery
2 months before – Peppers, Tomatoes and Eggplant
1 & 1/2 months before – Broccoli, Cabbage and Cauliflower
3 weeks before – Cucumbers, Melons, Okra, Pumpkins and Squash
Direct seed outside before the last frost (hardy):
1 & 1/2 months before – Seed Potatoes and onion sets
5 weeks before – Kale, Kohlrabe, Spinach, Turnips and Mustard
4 weeks before – Beets, Carrots, Endive, English Peas and Radish
2 weeks before – All types of Lettuce and Swiss Chard
Direct seed outside after the last frost (tender):
1 to 2 weeks after – Beans, Cowpeas
2 weeks after – Corn, Watermelon, Pumpkins, Squash, Cucumbers and Okra
The hardy plants will thrive when the temperatures are in the thirties. Fast growing plants can be planted well beyond the last frost date. Also, a Fall garden can be started in late June through late July harvesting up to the first fall frost.
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