Tips to help you prepare for spring planting season
As the days get longer and the air gets warmer, gardeners may be eager to get to planting. Here's what you should know before you do.
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00:00 Spring planting season is already approaching.
00:03 All right, what should you do now
00:04 to get started on your garden?
00:06 Well, I don't have the answer,
00:07 but someone does. No, I don't either.
00:08 And she's joining us,
00:10 nationally known gardening expert, Melinda Myers.
00:13 Thank you so much for being here.
00:14 We love the festivity of all the plants in the background.
00:17 And since we've had such a strange winter,
00:20 especially where you are in the upper Midwest,
00:22 do you think you should change your plans
00:24 for spring planting this year?
00:27 You know, I'm gonna play it safe
00:28 and go with what's been recommended
00:30 and done over the years.
00:32 You know, we've had such strange weather all winter.
00:35 Last week, we had 70 degrees during the day.
00:38 And when I woke up the next morning, it was 13.
00:41 So I'm worried about over, you know,
00:43 thinking we're ready to go and plant.
00:45 So a couple of things you can do
00:46 is you can start some seeds indoors,
00:49 but always check the back of your seed packets.
00:52 Some seeds that you do directly in the garden,
00:54 like beets and radishes,
00:56 they can take soil temperatures around 45 degrees.
00:59 So it's not only the air temperature we're worried about,
01:01 but the soil.
01:03 So soil thermometers are great tools that you can use.
01:06 They read the temperature down in the root zone
01:09 where the plants are going to grow,
01:10 tells you if the soil's warm enough.
01:12 So check your seed packets.
01:14 The Extension Service has recommendations
01:16 for planting dates.
01:18 I know gardeners, we just can't wait.
01:20 So if you, you're right, if you jumpstart the season,
01:23 there are some things you can do
01:25 besides starting your seeds indoors
01:27 to kind of get over that spring fever.
01:29 I love to use a product called Floating Row Cover.
01:32 It lets air, light, and water through,
01:34 but it traps heat and protects the plants from frost.
01:38 You know, those unexpected late spring frost
01:40 can wipe out all your hard work.
01:42 So warm up the soil with Clear Prep-It,
01:44 warm it up with Clear Plastic
01:46 when the temperature's right for the plants
01:48 you want to put in the ground,
01:49 and then cover them with something
01:51 so that if we do have that crazy weather
01:54 that we get so often in past springs,
01:56 and especially this year,
01:58 all your efforts won't be for naught.
02:00 - Awesome advice.
02:01 - Yeah, you know, a couple of things.
02:03 Number one, what should you start planting indoors
02:06 if you want to be outdoors?
02:08 And then when is it safe to begin planting outdoors?
02:12 - Well, you kind of have to depend on all of you guys,
02:15 the weather forecast.
02:16 When are you predicting the last spring frost?
02:18 'Cause when you look at seed packets,
02:20 they say start these seeds indoors
02:22 X number of weeks before the last spring frost.
02:26 So those of us in the upper Midwest
02:27 are looking at starting tomatoes and peppers,
02:30 things that like it warm
02:31 and don't tolerate frost in early April.
02:34 But we could start our cabbage and broccoli now,
02:38 and we'd be okay.
02:39 And they tolerate the cooler soil
02:41 and the cooler air temperatures.
02:43 I've seen people in the Northeast plant peas
02:47 on St. Patty's Day.
02:48 That's kind of her tradition for some gardeners.
02:51 They pulled away the snow, made a hole,
02:54 planted the seeds, and they had some good success.
02:57 You know, a packet of seeds that might be worth,
02:59 you know, getting a little of your gardening going.
03:01 And so maybe it doesn't work well.
03:04 At least you got a little fix.
03:05 Take some notes.
03:07 The other thing is it's a crazy year.
03:08 So record what's happening.
03:10 We've had those unusual late spring frost,
03:13 crazy winter temperatures.
03:15 Start recording because we learn more
03:17 every season we garden.
03:18 And I think we have a lot to learn this year.
03:21 - And really quickly here,
03:22 what about for, what do you do for some plants
03:24 that have already started coming up?
03:27 We've got some colder air on the way.
03:29 Do we need to protect them?
03:31 - I think you make a choice.
03:32 I've seen bulbs, spring flowering bulbs,
03:35 do okay when the temperatures are in 15,
03:37 at down to 15.
03:38 I just noticed some of my little iris,
03:40 early spring iris are blooming this morning.
03:43 If you're nervous, you could cover them with the row cover.
03:45 If you have your Christmas tree piled outside somewhere
03:49 for the birds to enjoy, cut a few branches,
03:51 cover the plants with that.
03:53 A little mulch during the extreme cold works well.
03:56 But as long as the plants are green
03:58 and up above the ground, covering with things
04:01 really is a problem because you're blocking the sunlight
04:04 and you may end up causing them to yellow and not grow.
04:07 So I like the row cover 'cause it lets the light in.
04:10 You could leave it on until that cold snap is gone.
04:13 And then sometimes you may go,
04:14 the plants will be back next year.
04:16 I know we hate to sacrifice blooms,
04:18 but a lot of times that's the worst that happens.
04:21 I worry about our trees and shrubs,
04:22 but there's nothing we can do.
04:24 So hopefully the cool temperatures won't be too cold
04:27 and it'll kind of keep things in check
04:29 until it's a better time to plant.
04:32 - All right, Melinda Meyers,
04:34 always a pleasure speaking with you.
04:36 Thanks again for joining us.
04:37 - My pleasure, thank you so much.