Spring Gardening
The Vernal Equinox
(Spring) is just around the corner. With the coming of spring we cheer the
departure of the harsh winter weather of freezing
temperatures, snow, and ice storms and look forward to a new
growing season. By now your seedlings should be poking their
way through the potting soil and the first of the spring
flowers will be soon evident. It's time for spring
gardening!
The first
sign of spring may be the appearance of a robin
on the lawn
or it may be a particular flower in your garden.
The first flower indicator of spring depends on your
local climate.
It may be the lilac or jonquil. We look for the tulips to
appear as the first real sign of spring. Tulips are
extremely hardy and begin to appear in mid March just after
the snow melts, first poking their way through the soil and
rapidly growing to full size. Unfortunately the tulip does
not have a long budding season.
The flowers will be gone by
early May, just leaving the withering stocks. As
the tulips begin to disappear the lilacs come into bloom
with their heavenly aroma.
By then it’s nearly time to till the flower and
vegetable gardens, readying them for planting.
Knowing
when to begin spring planting usually is a trial of
patience, waiting until the last threat of frost has gone
before transferring plants to the garden. Although the
daytime temperature may get into the seventies we must be
patient and wait until the overnight temperature
consistently stays above freezing.
A general rule of thumb is to wait until after the
last full moon in May before transferring plants to the
garden. This usually insures that you will not lose yours
plants to a spring frost. If you are living in a new area
where you are not sure when it is safe to start your spring
planting check with your local nursery or garden supply
store for when it will be safe.
April is considered national garden
month so get ready for your spring planting. If you are
planting peas do not be concerned of frost. By tradition
peas are usually planted very early in April to insure a
crop by the July fourth. Most below the surface seeds can be
planted in April as they will not germinate and rise above
the surface for several weeks. Whatever your gardening
objectives may be it is time to start your planning. Perk up
your yard and your well-being. Happy gardening.
Related articles:
How to Grow Strawberries
How To Grow Tomatoes
How to
Prepare Garden Soil for Planting
Mulching Your Garden |
