This has been a long, cold winter. Thank goodness spring is in sight, Saturday, March 20 marked the first day of spring. With this being said, it’s time to start thinking about planning flower and vegetable gardens. If starting a new garden, soil testing the site where the garden will go is a good idea. If it is an existing garden and the soil has never been tested, now would be a good time to think about testing it. Your local OSU Extension office can help with soil testing.
Another gardening task to be thinking about is seed starting. Growing plants from seed is a lot of fun and now is the time to be doing this. Below is a chart from The Old Farmers Almanac that will help determine when to start seeds indoors, transplant seedlings outdoors, and when to start seeds outdoors.
Crop
Start Seeds Indoors
Transplant Seedlings
Start Seeds Outdoors
Beans
May 17 - June 7
Beets
April 26 - May 17
Broccoli
March 29 - April 12
April 19 - May 10
BrusselSprouts
March 29 - April 12
April 12 - May 3
Cabbage
March 15 - 29
April 12 - 26
Cantaloupe
April 12 - 19
May 24 - June 14
May 24 – June 1
Carrots
April 5 - 19
Cauliflower
March 29 – April 12
April 12 - 26
Collards
March 29 – April 12
April 12 – May 3
Corn
May 10 - 24
Cucumbers
April 12 – 19
May 24 – June 14
May 24 – June 1
Eggplants
Feb. 28 – March 15
May 24 – June 14
Kale
March 29 - April 12
April 12 - May 3
Lettuce
March 29 - April 12
April 26 - May 24
Onions
April 12 – May 3
Peas
March 29 – April 19
Peppers
Feb. 28 – March 15
May 24 – June 14
Potatoes
May 3 – 24
Pumpkins
April 12 – 26
May 24 – June 14
May 24 – June 1
Radishes
March 15 - April 5
Spinach
March 29 - April 19
Sweet Potatoes
April 12 – 19
May 24 – June 14
May 24 - June 1
Squash
April 12 – 26
May 24 – June 14
May 24 - June 1
Swiss Chard
March 29 – April 12
April 19 – 26
May 24 - June 1
Tomatoes
March 15 – 29
May 17 – June 7
Turnips
April 12 – May 3
Watermelons
April 12 – 19
May 24 – June 14
May 24 – June 1
Takeing a look at the chart above notice that some of the vegetable crops we like to plant in the garden can handle cooler temperatures and those are recognized as cool season crops. Some of those include:
- Cole crops (or brassicas) which are an amazingly large and varied family, whose edible portions span from leaves to flowers to roots. This includes broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, radishes, turnips, kohlrabi, arugula, Asian greens, and mustard greens (Brussels sprouts, a brassica, are planted in the cool season but take many months to mature).
- Peas (both edible-podded and shelling) are another familiar cool-season crop.
- Lettuce is yet another group that has a huge number of varieties.
- Spinach is also included the cool season assembly.
Now that we have talked about testing the garden soil, starting seeds and cool season crops. We need to think about the frost free date in your county. According to the Old Farmers Almanac the frost free date is May 10th for Morrow County where I live. However, I caution folks of following this date. I like to use Memorial day as a frost free date in Central Ohio because the last several years have presented us with a frost and or freeze near Mother’s Day. Mother’s Day has always been a good rule of thumb for safely planting vegetables and flowers outside, but I caution folks to watch the weather and think about planting around Memorial Day, all threat of frost should be gone by then.
I know the temptation is always there to start earlier especially if we are experiencing 65 and 70 degree days. That is why it is important to follow the planting guide above. If you have raised beds or micro climates under cold frames the soil might warm up quicker allowing you to start a little earlier. Ideally cool season crops would like soil temperatures to be above 40 degrees and warm season crops would like soil temperatures to be at or above 55 degrees.
If you do jump the gun and plant before memorial day your crops can potentially be protected from frost with old blankets, cardboard and row covers.
Whether you are starting transplants from seed or purchasing them, watch the weather forecast to ensure your little plant babies are protected. Have a fun and successful spring.
If you have questions call your local OSU Extension Office.