Let’s plant the garden. If you create a good seedbed, plan for weed control and plant at the proper time, a garden will give you lots of great vegetables and a sense of pride.
Before you plant, prepare the soil. If you do a soil test, follow the recommendations given. Otherwise, place a 2- to 3-inch layer of compost over the garden and add 5-10-10 fertilizer, then work both into the soil. If you do not have compost, use a 10-10-10 fertilizer with more nitrogen. If you use manure as your compost, be sure it is well rotted so your vegetables are not exposed to bacteria. Create a fine, loose and level seedbed to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. If necessary, add a rabbit fence, rain gauge and some reflectors to keep the birds away.
Next, create a planting diagram. Use a hoe or string to measure rows, keeping in mind the height and width of mature plants, direction of the sun and the amount of space needed for trellises, stakes or cages.
Once the design is in place, you can put mulch in between the rows to prevent weeds from sprouting. This can be in the form of grass clippings with no pesticides, leaves, newspaper or clean straw. Leave only enough space for the seed row or plant. The mulch will keep the weeds from taking over before your vegetables even sprout.
As you create your planting diagram, add the dates for planting. Everything doesn’t have the same requirements, so it’s important to have a schedule. In central Wisconsin, most gardens begin around the end of April. Onions, lettuce and peas all like cool weather and can tolerate some frost. Potatoes, carrots and beets also are early beginners.
The next planting is after the “normal” frost date for our area, about May 15. It’s important to think about soil temperature when planting seeds. If the soil is cold and wet, the seeds will rot. Pick a week when the sun will be out and the garden is warm. Green beans, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and broccoli are good choices to plant at this time. Wait another week, then plant cucumbers, pumpkins and squash.
The last vegetables to plant are tomatoes and peppers. These plants are very sensitive to cold, especially nighttime temperatures. Even if it is hot during the day but drops to 45 degrees at night, it is too cold for these plants. Either provide them with some protection, or wait until the summer weather has definitely set in.
Seeds need warmth, moisture and air flow for proper growth. Follow the directions on the seed package for proper depth and spacing so seeds aren’t crowded or buried too deep. Many seeds need a required amount of light to germinate. Cover seeds with loose soil, then water. If your planting bed is very dry, sprinkle water into the trench before planting.
Use mulch and remove weeds as they sprout. Once the garden is established, monitor your rain gauge and add moisture if Mother Nature does not provide an inch per week.
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