Do you get anxious about starting your spring yardwork or starting your garden seeds every time the temps get above 40? Dane County Extension Horticulture Educator Lisa Johnson says you’ve got to be patient.
But if you are thinking about starting your seeds indoors, she’s got a list of best practices to make sure your garden thrives this year.
“It depends on what kind of crop you’re going to grow,” Johnson explains.
If you’re in the Madison area — you’ll want to wait until the end of March because the ‘frost date’ is usually around the May 15 or 20. That means there’s a 50 percent chance of frost before and after that date. Work backwards from that date following the directions on the seed packet.
For cool season crops, such as peas, radishes, lettuce and spinach, basements work well with temperatures in the low 60s. Crops such as tomatoes and peppers need warmers soil. You may want to invest in a heat mat or start seeds in the upstairs of your home safe from kids and pets.
Johnson says the seed supply chain has improved from last year, meaning seed supply will look good. She recommends looking for All American Selection seeds.
If your soil is too wet, the roots can encounter disease — root rot — or lose oxygen and die. Make sure your roots aren’t circling around and around — this happens when there’s too many roots and no place to go. Avoid this by straightening roots and putting them into a slightly bigger pot.
If you’re looking for cost-effective containers: egg cartons, fast food containers, soup cans, or juice and milk jugs. Just make sure there’s drainage by poking holes, Johnson says.
Johnson will also be teaching a variety of classes in the office’s new greenhouse. Get more info: https://dane.extension.wisc.edu/
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