During this time of a global pandemic, I have returned to my vegetable garden with renewed dedication and commitment. When groceries store shelves were empty of salad greens, I knew that I had a low tunnel at home full of spinach, lettuce, swiss chard, and cilantro. I would like to share with anyone who may read this blog about how to grow a successful home vegetable and flower garden. I have worked in commercial horticulture and floriculture as a young adult and have remained a passionate grower for the past twenty years. The suggestions below will work for anyone located in USDA plant hardiness zone 6b. To find your plant hardiness zone, go to the USDA's Plant Hardiness Zone Map by Zip Code.
Direct Seeding Vegetables and Flowers in March: In March, typically by the second week, the soil is warm enough to direct seed peas (snap, shell, snow) and some cold-hardy flowers such as: snapdragons, bachelor's buttons, calendula, and rudbeckia/black eyed susan. Herb possibilities include dill, cilantro, and parsley. By the end of March, potatoes can be planted. So, what if you missed the March window? Not to worry, it is not too late to start any of the previous mentioned plant species. For families with children interested in gardening, I would suggest focusing on peas, potatoes, and calendula because the seed size is large to huge and easy to manipulate. For peas and other large seeded vegetables like green/snap beans, the easiest seeding method is to use a trowel to dig a narrow trench about 1.5 - 2 inches deep. Place the pea seeds every three inches and cover with soil. I like to use the back of the trowel to firm the soil over the seed. All seeds need good seed to soil contact.
Direct Seeding Vegetables and Flowers in April: By April, usually the weather has warmed to the point that transplanting can start. For direct seeding, consider: broccoli, cabbage, radishes, kale, mustard greens, arugula, spinach, lettuce, carrots, and beets. The brassicas or cabbage family plants (broccoli, cabbage, radish, kale, mustard greens, arugula) have relatively large seeds that are easy to manipulate. All of these should be planted about 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch deep. Spinach has slightly larger seeds and can be planted at a similar depth. Remember that you can always seed at a higher rate and then thin out the extra seedlings to include in salads. Beets are another larger seeded vegetable with interesting looking seeds. Carrots are probably the most difficult to seed, thin, and grow successfully. You need a well-drained and deep soil for carrots. Raised beds would be a good fit here. Be very patient, carrots can take up to 21 days to germinate. There are carrot varieties that will work better in heavier soils. I prefer to grow 'Red Cored Chantenay' and 'Shin Kuroda'. At the end of April, it is time to think about direct seeding green/snap beans and a second crop of carrots and beets.
Direct Seeding Vegetables and Flowers in May: In south central Pennsylvania, May is when gardening season is in full swing and many frost-sensitive plants are transplanted, think tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, and cucumbers to name a few. For direct seeding, any of the vegetables mentioned for March and April could still be planted in early May to mid-May with the exception of peas and spinach. In fact, many gardeners choose to use succession planting where they direct seed or transplant a smaller amount several times staggering by two or more weeks to ensure that they will have a continuous harvest. Lettuce is not a great crop for mid-summer because it does not like heat or dry soils. There are lettuce varieties bred to withstand summer heat but they will grow best with irrigation and shade cloth. Focus on the spring and fall for lettuce production. For the heat of the summer, swiss chard is a better choice. When small leaves are harvested, they can be used for salad or larger leaves for cooking. Vegetables to direct seed include: cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkins (mid-late May), green/snap beans, melons (mid-late May), zinnias, sunflowers, basil, and more.
If you have any questions, please add them as a comment. I will be checking the blog daily.
No comments:
Post a Comment