Monthly Garden Checklist
HAPPY SPRING!!!
Now what? Here’s a list...
1) If you haven’t weeded, applied compost/chicken manure, and aerate the soil, NOW is the time to do it. Let it sit for a couple of weeks prior to planting.
2) Make a diagram of where you’ll be planting vegetables and title it “spring garden 2020” so you’ll be able to rotate crops each year.
3) By mid-April, you can begin planting tomatoes, green beans, squash, peppers, onions, corn, etc.
4) Check your irrigation system and make sure you’re only watering 5 minutes a day or whatever the “Water Wizard” has recommended. Also make sure that if you have micro- sprayers, that the water they spray stays within the plot and does not water the walkway.
5) Check the “Resources” section on the website to learn how to prune tomatoes to get the maximum yield.
6) Stake tomatoes at the time of planting or soon after with a rigid stake that is at least 5 feet tall. This will help keep fruit off the ground.
7) If you’ve got tiny seedlings, cover with a gallon milk container that has the lid removed and the bottom cut out. This will prevent ‘critters’ from getting your seedlings and also protect from whatever cooler nights we may have.
8) You can encourage beneficial insects by adding the following herbs and flowers to the vegetable garden: dill, fennel, thyme, yarrow, daisies, cosmos, marigolds, and zinnias.
In-home Maintenance:
1) Fertilize citrus
2) Increase deep watering of roses to twice a week
3) Plant dahlias, gladiolas, and lilies.
4) Deadhead spring flowering bulbs. Do not cut off the green foliage yet as these greens continue to grow for a few weeks and will provide the bulb with food for flowering next year. Try braiding the foliage to keep it manageable.
5) Divide perennials like daylilies, delphiniums, iris, chrysanthemums, daisies, and phlox.
If you haven’t done so already, sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor. As always, if you have questions or concerns, email us at communitygardensofsc@gmail.com and we’ll work with you to be successful.
