Planting A Spring Garden
Planting a spring garden is an excellent hobby for those who love the outdoors and the feeling of accomplishment
. It can take a lot of planning, but the products from the garden are both healthy and money saving.The first step in planting a garden is to prepare the soil. It is important that this is done at the right time of the year.
If it is done too early, the soil will still be too wet. However, if preparing the soil is done too late the soil will be too dry.
Before preparing it, test the soil by pressing a small amount of dirt in the hand. If it crumbles apart and breaks into small clumps, it is ready.
To prepare the soil, it will need to be tested to see what kind of chemicals are in the soil. This will tell of lack of chemicals and what type of fertilizer or manure the soil will need to have the proper nutrients.
After adding the proper nutrients, rake or harrow the planting are to break up the soil. Then, till or spade the soil depending on the size of garden that will be planted.
A firm, fine seedbed is the best kind of soil, especially for small-seeded crops. Be careful that the soil is not too hard otherwise the soil will crust and damage the seeds.
The soil can be tilled and prepared in the fall so that planting can occur earlier in the spring. There are two spring seasons during which plants can be planted.
The first is during the end of winter when the weather is cooler. Certain plants such as lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and onions love the cooler weather and will thrive then.
The second season is during the warmer beginning of spring. Plants such as tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, and other love the warmer weather and will die if stuck by a sudden frost.
When planting these crops be sure to wait until late May, or when the frosts are definitely over. Be sure to plant these crops according to the package instructions for depth and season.
Other tender crops such as pumpkins and watermelons grow better if hot caps are placed over the soil a week before planting, and then placing the cap over the plant until the plant pokes out of the soil. The stored warmth helps them to germinate faster and grow larger.
Sometimes it is a good idea to start the plants indoors so that they will have enough time to grow. This is especially true for the warm season plants, that cannot be planted until late in the year.
Although cool season plants may need to be started indoors as well, so that they have enough time to grow before the warm weather begins.
An alternative to starting the plants indoors, is to invest in a greenhouse. Plant the seed in plastic trays or peat pots 3-4 inches deep.
Firm the soil with a spade along the side of the trays or peat pots and then level soil about 1/4 inch below the top of the pots. Firm all the soil evenly.
Read the package to find out which plants should be started the earliest. When the sprouts can be seen, keep the trays in direct sunlight or under fluorescent lights.
Begin applying fertilizer to the plants before transplanting. Plan transplanting them in the late afternoon or on a cool, cloudy day.
Transplanting should be the least traumatizing possible for the seedlings. Water the plants right before moving them from their containers.
Then, cut the soil so the plant moves easily out of the pot with root still attached. If peat pots were used, be sure the pots are completely covered by soil, otherwise the pots will soak up the water causing the plant to die.
After transplanting, treat the plants like normal outside plants. A feeling of success will grow as the small plants mature and become fruitful.
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