February Garden Planting

[Rose]

Hi Fellow Community Gardeners!

Some fantastic updates for you all, there are now eight garden groups
included and we're growing! There's even a group working with us in
the rest of Southern Maryland to teach pre-school and childcare
centers about gardening and growing plants! We've also gotten
permission to have a class at the Town of La Plata sometime in the
next month/month and a half to introduce any of you guys to gardening
and find out what resources you have and what resources you need! The
grant application will need to be submitted soon so for those of you
with gardens that would like extra supplies and pollinator gardens (to
ensure healthier, happier plants) we need to set up a time to either
take pictures of the planting areas or if you would send pictures that
would be great too!

By the way, University of Maryland's Home Garden Information Center
site recommends the following things happen in February! Not to be
too far ahead or make you guys think that seedlings haven't gotten
planted after February, but just in case you're interested in what the
time line should look like, here it is (http://www.hgic.umd.edu/
content/onlinepublications.cfm#Vegetable and Herb Gardening) - By the
way, there are also documents that have the planting times on the same
site for those of you that want to plant spring and fall plants
too! :-) I can't wait to see all of the butterflies, tomatoes, and
carrot tops!:

February
If starting seeds indoors, set up florescent grow lights, and gather
needed materials: pots, trays, soil less mix.
Early in the month, start seeds of early crops, such leeks, onions,
shallots and artichokes indoors, under florescent lights. Also start
peppers- they are very slow growing.

Later in the month, start seeds indoors of beets, turnips, Chinese
cabbage, kale and other early crops.
These will be ready to set out in the garden in 3-5 weeks. (Or, direct
seed these crops in the garden as
soon as soil can be worked.)

Build a cold frame. Late in the month, add compost and good soil; sow
spinach, lettuce, or a mesclun mix
for early greens.


Namaste and love,
Rose