Some of us are still thawing out, but for many, spring is in the air. With warmth and sunshine knocking at the door, don’t wait until it’s too late to get your garden ready for the coming season.
First, you’ll want to check your soil to make sure it’s ready for planting. It needs to be dry and warm enough (around 60F). To do a test, take a handful of the soil and try to clump it into a ball. If it doesn’t crumble but instead sticks, it may be too wet. To further check, drop the soil ball on the ground. If it doesn’t break apart, it is definitely too wet to plant.
You’ll also want to know your areas average date for the last frost, as this is an indication as to how early you’ll be planting certain crops. Go here to find it.
Have a look at 8 veggies we think taste great grown right from your spring garden, with tips on when to plant them. Let us know which are your favorite!
1. Broccoli: Broccoli is a wonderfully delicious and nutritious vegetable. Plant broccoli for the spring as early as 4 weeks prior to your area’s last frost.
2. Carrots: Carrots can be planted 2 weeks before the last frost date. Make sure to weed the area well, as any neighboring weeds can overcrowd the carrots and will take their nutrients. In addition to being a great source of vitamin A and fiber.
3. Lettuce: Lettuce can be planted as soon as the soil is ready to be worked. Mulch and compost will help your lettuce flourish, as its shallow roots require soil that sufficiently retains moisture and still has ample drainage.
4. Garlic: Garlic is one of the most versatile vegetables. While garlic is better planted in the fall, you can still be quite successful in the spring. Plant as early as 4 weeks before the last frost for best results.
5. Turnips: Turnips should be planted 2 weeks before the last frost date — they make a great addition to any garden!
6. Arugula: Arugula can be planted as soon as the soil is ready to be worked. While not everyone is a fan of the taste, arugula can make a spicy addition to any salad mix. Because it grows so quickly, expect to harvest your first greens just a few weeks after planting.
7. Beets: Sow your beet seeds once the soil can be worked. Beets are great juiced or in a variety of recipes.
8. Potatoes: Potatoes are the world’s fourth largest food crop, but unfortunately are eaten by most people saturated in grease or covered with fatty dairy products. Grow potatoes in your own garden to prepare them in a variety of healthy recipes instead, and reap the tasty benefits. Get your potatoes in the ground two weeks before the last frost for a nice spring harvest.
If you need any Lawn Care taken care of, give us a call @ Goodfellas Enterprises, LLC