Hello Spring! Now Let’s Get to the Good Part!

Yes! Ladies and gentlemen, according to the calendar, it is officially spring! That means longer days, warmer temperatures, a jumpstart on nature’s paintbrush as all the early blooms and budding trees do their thing, and welcoming of our now awakening fauna like the birds and the bees, and the other busy critters of the outdoors. If you live in a temperate climate, there is still plenty to do in preparation and starting of your seasonal garden.

If you reside where there are warmer temperatures, you may have been experiencing consistent temperatures of 60 degrees and above, which means that you have likely begun transitioning your plants to their outdoor locations. Your plants should have at least two pairs of true leaves before doing so. This transitioning process requires hardening-off to optimize success. First, click here to make certain that you know your grow zone’s last frost date.

4-6 weeks before the last frost

For those of you in cooler temperatures, you can start hardening-off and transitioning several leafy green plants. I will admit, that I am a bit of a chicken, so although I may transplant some leafy greens outdoors before last frost, I avoid the most severe cold temperatures and use protective plant coverings. You will have to do your own risk assessment.

Consistent daytime temperatures of about 50 degrees:

• spinach, collards and kale – these plants can tolerate intermittent severe frost temperatures (0-28 degrees)
• swiss chard – no lower than 30-40 degrees at night before you can begin transitioning outdoors.
• kohlrabi – when consistently above 40 degrees at night; Some romaine and loose leaf lettuces may tolerate these temperatures as well, but you can keep them indoors until temperatures are consistently above 60 degrees or indefinitely if you have grow lights.
• Indoor sowing – You can sow seeds for plants like broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, and onions during this timeframe (4-6 weeks before last frost). You haven’t quite run out of time to start seeds for tomatoes, bell and chili peppers at this point, as well.

About 4 weeks before last frost:

• You may continue to transplant the aforementioned leafy greens.
• Direct-sowing: You may sow seeds outdoors for beets, and herbs which are cool-weather tolerant like dill, chives, and cilantro
• Indoor sowing: cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, melons, collard and mustard greens, continued sowing of spinach, lettuce, swiss chard

Hardening-off

Completing this process may take 5-7 days, longer if you miss days. First start by ensuring your seedlings are well-watered and then placing them outdoors in early morning, in a shaded area for a couple of hours before returning them indoors. Repeat the next day but only water as necessary. Over the following days, extend the time outdoors each day by an hour or two, and gradually increase exposure to direct sunlight and varied (but typical) wind. If during this period, extreme weather is expected or occurs (i.e., severe low or high temperatures, damaging winds, storms), return the plants indoors and resume when it passes. This process lessens transplant shock and toughens your seedlings up in preparation for the outdoors. *Note: I personally, use fine mesh/woven coverings during this process to permit exposure to the elements but not the opportunistic insects/pests.

Transplanting:

1. After last frost, position your planters, add your selected potting soil with dry slow-release fertilizer mixed in according to fertilizer directions, leaving 1-2 inches for your natural mulch/straw. Fertilizer may not be necessary at this point if included in your potting soil. Fill nearly to top if using black plastic mulch sheeting/cover.
2. Transplant your seedlings according to recommended spacing and quantity. Reference the Planting Guide as needed.
3. Water thoroughly and gently at soil line for transplanted seedlings (stopping when water drains from bottom), and water with light stream to remove air pockets and moisten for seeds.
4. Top with 1-2 inches of your mulch selection. *If direct-sowing your seeds into your planters, I recommend using the black plastic sheeting to mulch and cutting holes (crosswise) for seed insertion, or starting with a lighter layer of natural mulch/straw.
5. Add liquid or soluble fertilizer according to package directions (when fruit/vegetables begin to appear, ~ 4 weeks after transplant)
6. Feed with diluted liquid or soluble fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during growing season.
7. Water your plants when the top inch of potting soil is dry when tested with your finger.

For help determining how much soil you will need for your chosen planters/containers:

https://harvesttotable.com/container-and-pot-sizes-how-much-soil-do-i-need/

Fertilizer

I recommend using an evenly balanced general/all-purpose (slow release) fertilizer unless you are experienced in this area. Some examples are Happy Frog All-Purpose Organic Fertilizer, Espoma Garden-tone Organic Fertilizer, and Dr. Earth All Purpose Organic Fertilizer. Follow fertilizer instruction for new, potted plants.

Plant Covers

Here are some links for protective covers for your seedlings. These are available at most nurseries, online and big box retailers, and commercial hardware locations. Protective covers may be needed for frost protection, and to keep pests from your seedlings, at least until they are established. Stay tuned for posts regarding environmentally safe pest protection. Consult our recommended Garden Toolkit to prepare for the season.

• Frost protection covers
• Cloches
• Mesh pest protection (for insects, birds, deer, other critters)

*Note: I was recently informed by a member of a gardening group, that you can unbind the material from the plastic/artificial loofahs to cover your seedlings/pots in order to protect them from birds, possibly chipmunks and larger insects. I will give this a try this season and report back to you with the results!

Are you behind or is there no time for seed-sowing and hardening-off plants? All is not lost. There are seedlings for purchase at nurseries all over the country, both in-person and even online. Click here to review offerings at Bonnie’s Plants, one of the more popular seedling retailers. Bonnie’s Plants also sells combination planter or groupings of compatible plants, if you do not have the time to the research.