Spring and Gardening

 

Welcome Spring Equinox!

 

After a long, cold winter, the days are finally becoming longer and warmer.  Your local plant nurseries are filling their isles with colorful, new flower bulbs, endless varieties of seeds, seedlings and plants. Even though it may be tempting to kick off the first day of spring with gardening activities, here are a few guidelines on what to consider first. As well as when it’s recommended to plant your garden.

If your gardening beds have been fertilized, prepped and cleaned. And your green thumb is itching, planting cool season crops such as peas, spinach, kale and lettuce is a great idea!

Potatoes are another wonderful crop you can plant while the spring is fresh and cold. They are unique in a way that you take a whole potato with a bud on it, and you bury it directly into the ground. There is no need to purchase any seeds, just a few old potatoes that have grown small buds.

Other vegetables, such as beans, corn, cucumbers, squash, carrots and beets need to be planted after the last frost date which is usually in May for Northeast Pennsylvania. You can refer to your local farmer’s almanac for specific details.

In addition, experienced gardeners really like to get a head start on their growing season by starting seedlings in an indoor nursery. This can be a small, covered container with a grow light, or an advanced set up. There are many choices.

The following vegetables have a longer growing season and really benefit from being started early indoors. They include, but not limited to, tomatoes, peppers, basil, parsley, onions and eggplants.

If you don’t have the room for an indoor nursey, worry no more, you will be able to purchase well started plants at your local plant store as the season matures.

The most important notion with gardening is to have fun and remember to plant the vegetables that you enjoy eating!

 

Happy Gardening!