Spring is here and it’s time to think about your garden. Whether you plan a backyard garden or planter boxes on your patio, getting started early is the best way to make sure your garden is fruitful (or veggie-ful!).
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Here are some things you’ll want to think about before you start.
- What to plant. From herbs to veggies the options are plentiful. Plant foods your family will enjoy, but don’t be afraid to try new things. Picky eaters might be more willing to try new things when they’re the fruits of their own labor. Once you decide on a particular item (or items), check to see if this plant grows well in our area. Jack, one of the owners of Gro-Moore Farms in Henrietta, suggests a variety of fruits and veggies that are fun, easy and practical for local families. “Try potatoes, because they develop underground kids are often surprised at how many will appear.” He also suggests peppers and tomatoes because they’re easy to grow, can be found in a variety of colors and, perhaps the best part: can be eaten right out of the garden like candy! He also suggests planting ever bearing strawberries which will appear as early as June and continue all summer long. Like the tomatoes and peppers, these too are fun to eat right out of the garden- no prep work needed! If you’re looking to branch out with a more floral approach, Jack recommends sunflowers because they can be bought as plants or seeds and will grow to a variety of different heights, much like your gardeners-in-training.
- Where to plant. If you plan to make a backyard garden, make sure your area will receive enough sunlight, usually 6 hours of direct sunlight a day will be enough. If you don’t have the space for an outdoor garden, but would still like to develop your green thumb, Jack recommends trying a patio or window garden with green beans. This type of garden is great for beginners because there is less weed competition and can help kids learn responsibility- the plants will need daily attention to ensure they’re receiving the right amount of sunlight and water. The boxes can be moved throughout the day to adjust to changing sun access. Just remember: if you have a vacation planned make sure you have a willing friend or neighbor who can look after your garden while you’re away to be sure it has plenty of fresh water.
- When to plant. Read the label on the seed packet (or the plant tag, if using plants from a nursery), to find out the growing time and planting time. For best results plant when there is no danger of frost. This may be difficult with the unusually mild and unpredictable temps we’ve been having so far this Spring. If after planting a frost is predicted, cover your backyard plants and seeds with plastic sheeting or for patio plants; simply move them indoors if possible. Although it seems like summer berries are still in the distant future, Angela, the Perennial Department Manager at Bristol Gardens Center, says now is the perfect time to plant your bramble fruits (strawberries, raspberries, rhubarb, etc). It’s also a good time to plant your ‘cole crops’ which include cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Angela suggests bringing them in at night for the first week until they have a chance to get used to the lower temperature, a process referred to as ‘hardening off’. Once the veggies become acclimated, they can be left outdoors to flourish. For the tomatoes and peppers, Angela suggests starting them indoors full-time while it’s still a bit chilly and moving them outdoors in mid-to-late May when the temperatures are more favorable.
Another thing to think about is watering. If you have a backyard garden, make sure you can easily water your plants. During most of the growing season, your plants need about 1 inch of water per week. You’ll find that a soaker hose is better than sprinklers because they get the water directly to the soil without wetting the foliage.
For more information, planting tips and growing guides visit www.gardening.cornell.edu/
