With the warm days of spring comes an increase in traffic to and from local nurseries. People who have had cabin fever all winter are chomping at the bit the get outside and begin the new planting season. Before you load up on plants or flower seeds, make sure your soil is prepped and ready to go. A rich, healthy soil is ideal for growing plants. Once your soil is taken care of, there are a few more steps in the process of garden planting.
Correct planting is essential to help get your seeds bulbs and other plants growing. It is a good idea to place the plants on top of the ground first when planting new gardens or filling in gaps. This way you can see whether the plants fit into the area and with the other surrounding greenery and plants. This gives you a chance to change your mind and saves a lot of extra work!
Always make sure to check the labels for plant size and dimensions to ensure you have chosen a suitable spot. Visualize the plant at its size when fully grown, to determine whether it may obstruct other plants or create too much shade, which can restrict growth.
As a rule, you should dig a hole twice the width of the plant and slightly deeper than the length of the pot. After turning the plant upside down, gently tap it out of the pot. Place the planting in the center of the hole. Pack the hole with a good mix of compost or backfill it with soil. Water it well.
For the most part, plants need regular water to survive. A new planting will require a good watering twice a week, as a general rule of thumb. The best times to water are morning or early evening, as this helps reduce water evaporation on hot days. When watering your plants, they benefit more from a longer soak than a light sprinkle. Consult a planting guide if you have questions regarding a specific type of plant.
There may be one variety of plant in your new planting that you may not be too pleased to have. These are the dreaded weeds. Weeding may be time consuming and back-breaking, but just remember that weeds grow at an alarming rate. If you put off weeding for a week, then your problem will just magnify. Another good reason to practice weed control is pests, as many times weeds harbor unwanted bugs.
Popular Questions
Why does spring mean a new planting season arrives for homesteaders?
Spring brings warmer soil, longer daylight, and dependable moisture that allow many crops to begin active growth. Start by checking your local last frost date and choosing vegetables suited to your growing zone. Prepare garden beds with compost, remove weeds, and plant cool-season crops as soon as conditions allow.
What should you plant when the new spring planting season arrives?
Cool-season crops such as peas, lettuce, spinach, radishes, onions, and carrots can often be planted early in spring. Tender crops, including tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and squash, should wait until the danger of frost has passed. Use seed packets and local frost information to set planting dates for each crop.
How can you prepare a garden when spring signals a new planting season?
Clear dead plant material, loosen compacted soil, and add finished compost before sowing or transplanting. Test the soil if possible so you can correct nutrient or pH problems before crops become established. Create straight rows or marked planting spaces, and keep paths accessible for watering, weeding, and harvesting.
How do you protect young plants after the spring planting season begins?
Watch the forecast and cover tender seedlings with frost cloth, overturned containers, or a small tunnel when cold temperatures threaten. Harden indoor-grown transplants by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. Water newly planted crops consistently, add a thin layer of mulch after the soil warms, and check plants regularly for pests.