March and April Tips

[Rose]

So it's been a while, but we should be having our training soon, but
in the mean time, here are some more tips from the Mater Gardeners!
(http://www.growit.umd.edu/GE003GardenCalendar.pdf)

March:
If you did not test soil in fall, as soon as ground thaws, take soil
samples from different parts of the garden, to a depth of 6 to 8
inches. Send to a soil testing lab (University of Maryland’s Home and
Garden Information Center,www.hgic.umd.edu, tells how to take samples
and lists regional lab; see “Selecting Soil Test Lab,” HG#110.)

Amend soil according to soil test results, which may call for adding
lime or other nutrients. When the ground can be worked, dig in that
layer of well-aged manure, compost, mushroom soil, or leaf mold to
improve soil texture and fertility.

Put up trellises and teepees for peas, pole beans and other climbers.
Waiting until plants come up can
harm plant roots.

Harden off leeks, shallots, and onions in cold frame, or set outside
on a porch or protected area, a few hours a day at first, before
bringing them in at dusk; then gradually working up to eight hours a
day. Do this for about a week, before transplanting in the garden.
(Follow this same procedure for any crop started indoors.)

As soon as soil can be worked, plant potatoes, peas, onion sets, leeks
and other cool weather crops, including beets, Chinese cabbage, kale
mustard and turnips.

Apply water around the base of seedlings when planting that contains a
soluble fertilizer. This will help roots grow strong.

Sow more seeds of spinach, lettuce, arugula and other salad greens in
cold frames or in the vegetable bed, under row covers. (Floating row
covers are made of spun-bonded polyester. They let in air, light and
water, offer some protection from frost, and exclude insects and
bigger critters.)

Start seeds of eggplant, pepper (if not started in February) broccoli
and cabbage indoors under lights, to be ready for planting outdoors in
six to eight weeks.

Keep a garden planner or journal. Note each activity, with date, in
your garden notebook. Jot down weather, temperature, when seeds
germinate, plants flower and fruit. Take pictures. Note insects and
diseases. All this information will guide you in seasons to come.

April:
Continue to sow lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, beets and other
favorite salad vegetables. Thin seedlings of leafy greens, to a few
inches apart and eat the ones you pull. Check planting chart for final
spacing between mature plants.

Plant seeds of carrots, turnips and parsnips in deeply worked, well-
draining soil. Start Brussels sprouts indoors, under lights, to be
planted out in late May, for fall harvest. Start seeds of tomato seeds
indoors under lights, to be ready for transplanting outdoors in six to
eight weeks. Don’t jump the gun with warm season crops; plant outside
only after all danger of frost is past. (Night temperatures below 45º
F. can damage plants and later fruiting.)

Optional: lay down black plastic mulch to warm the soil, two to three
weeks before planting warm season crops, like tomato, pepper,
eggplant, and melon. Plastic mulch also keeps down weeds.
(Biodegradable non-plastic mulch, made out of corn, is now available;
www.highmowingseeds.com is one source.)

Sow beans and corn outdoors late this month or early May, when soil
temperatures are above 50º F. (Or pre-start them indoors to get them
off to a faster start.)

Start squash, melon and cucumbers indoors to be transplanted in the
garden, in two to three weeks. (These plants also benefit from black
plastic or biodegradable mulch.) Or, plant them directly in the
garden, in late May through mid-June.

Start seeds of herbs, including rosemary, thyme, lavender, sage, basil
and tarragon. Make cuttings of fresh mint, tarragon and rosemary from
potted plants or from stems purchased in food markets. Root the
cuttings in soil less mix, under lights.

Intersperse vegetables with flowers and herbs that attract beneficial
insects. These include dill, fennel, sweet alyssum, zinnias, cosmos,
marigolds, sunflowers, borage and many others.