Warmer Spring weather will soon be upon us. It’s not too
late to plan and prepare your spring garden. When planting or transplanting follow the directions on the
seed packet.
Direct-seed outdoors: Beets, carrots, and snow peas. Arugula
and lettuce may also be direct-seeded but have protection handy when frost is
forecast. The same is true for tomato transplants. They can go in at the end of
the month.
Inside, in bright light, start seeds now for transplanting after frost in late March and early April: Basil, cucumbers, eggplant, lettuce,
melons, peppers, summer and winter squash. When transplanting cucurbits like
cucumbers and squash, be very careful not to disturb the roots.
Broccoli can be planted now but may not take the hot weather
later on in the season. And of course white potatoes can be planted now; varieties
like Red Pontiac and Red LaSoda. Potatoes are traditionally planted on
Valentine’s Day; but a few weeks either way may not matter. Earlier is better
than later.
February is still a good time to plant small fruits and
citrus. Roots will have time to develop in preparation for the hot and
sometimes dry summer weather. Keep new shrubs and trees watered through summer and
early fall. Don’t drown them. Don’t dig the planting hole deeper than the root
ball. It’s advisable to have the top of the root-ball an inch or two above the
soil surface. Provide a moat for water around the plant beginning at the root
ball and extending out six or more inches.
Happy gardening.
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