Looks like there is going to be cool weather ahead make sure to cover your garden with a floating row cover or to use an old blanket to keep your little seedlings warm.
It’s time! No need to wait until the end of May to start planting. with some proper planning and protections you can get your vegetable garden started right away.
You need:
- A sunny spot with at least 6 hours of sun per day
- Great soil for vegetable gardening (1/3 compost, 1/3 peat moss and coconut fibres, 1/3 organic gardening soil)
- Cold hardy plants and seeds (lettuce, spinach, kale, swiss chard, radish, carrot, beet, mizuna, bok choy)
- A floating row cover to protect your vegetable seedlings from the cold
Plant your seedlings (video) deep in the ground, with enough space between plants to allow seedlings to reach maturity with their outer leaves touching. For most leafy greens this means 6″ (15 cm) between plants – or four plants per square foot.
Root vegetables and peas need to be planted from seed (video). Respect the spacing indicated on the seed pack and try to plant one seed per spot. This will save you a lot of work later on. No need to make a hole, seeds prefer to be close to the surface.
As the season progresses, you will need to add natural, organic fertilizers to keep your soil fertility at its best. Happy, healthy plants are not only much tastier and more nutritious, but very resistant to pest and disease.
To find out more about how to get the most of your vegetable garden, join us at our Soil Fertility Workshop next Saturday 1-3pm