Depending on the climate you reside in, the weather patterns for the year, the soil you are planting in, and also what kind of vegetables you are interested in, you can certainly customize your garden in many ways.
With a few tips and careful planning, you can maximize your garden space this spring and reap the benefits for months. That is, of course, assuming you don’t have a pest, bug or disease problem in your lawn or garden. Contact us if you have any questions about controlling pests or diseases in your lawn or garden, or read more for our best tips and advice.
Spring Planting Dates (Feb to May)
Though the spring season doesn’t begin until March 1st, there is ample opportunity to begin your garden work as early as January. A general rule for planting your seeds, is not to do so until after the last freeze of the winter—because frozen seeds will not produce—but with each seed, the most beneficial time can vary.
Even more important is your own climate in relation to recommended planting dates. Northern regions of Louisiana should plant seeds about four weeks after the earliest dates recommended, and Central Louisiana can plan for about two weeks after the earliest dates.
Hardier vegetables, such as beets, broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower, can be planted earlier in the season around late-February. March is a great time to start adding in more water-heavy vegetables such as corns, melons, cucumbers, squash, pumpkin and tomatoes.
April brings even more opportunity as temperatures warm up. Consider adding in okra, peppers, Swiss chard, Southern peas and sweet potato to your garden as you harvest other plants that may be ready.
As you add seeds to your garden throughout the Spring, you will also have the opportunity to harvest the vegetables from plants that were planted earlier in the season. Rework the soil and use that space to plant the later crop in the same space. This will allow you to maximize your garden space and the soil nutrition.
Tips on Planting
Seed depth
Not all seeds are the same, nor is the soil. How far to plant your seeds depends on both the seed size, and the soil type. Smaller seeds must be planted shallower than larger seeds. A general rule for depth is two to three times as deep as the seed is wide. Heavier soils, such as clay for example, warrant shallower depth. Lighter soil may require that you plant the seeds slightly deeper than normal.
Distance between plants
When planting your seeds, it’s easy to try to plant as many as possible, but this can actually do more harm than help. It’s important to allow for space to grow and cultivate your crop. If the plants are too crowded, they will not receive enough nutrients, thus producing mediocre crops at best. Melons and squash need the most space and require about 4-6 feet of space between plants. Otherwise, try to gauge the space based on the plant size, always allowing each plant enough space to grow without touching other plants.
Days until harvest
The number of days until harvest can vary for many reasons. Each seed will have different life cycles to begin with. In addition, the climate, soil nutrition and cultural practices will also influence the number of days to be expected. Check the seed packets for detailed expectations per seed in order to get an idea, but also know that the environment can also influence these things.
Fertilizer recommendations
Fertilizer is a great way to supplement your crops with additional nutrition and oxygenation. Depending on your crop, it is recommended to use anywhere from 2-3 pounds, to 6-7 pounds of fertilizer per 300 square feet. Recommendations are usually based on the pH levels of the soil, and the size of the plants, so be sure to test your soil first-before applying fertilizer.
Planting a garden can be hard work, but is incredibly rewarding when it produces what you’re aiming for. With enough research on the climate, soil, and seed requirements, you can get the best out of your garden each spring. Click here to contact us for any help.
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