In the Garden

Timing Is Everything for Spring Gardening

By Pat Naughton

There’s plenty to do now to be ready for spring gardening. Timing is critical, and it all starts with your best guess for the last frost. The average last frost date for Brunswick County is March 21, based on historical data from the Cape Fear Regional Jetport weather station.

To be ready for spring, here are some things to do to each month, and the average air temperatures from last year.

January (Average temps: 35°F min. - 62°F max.)

Plan your garden. Determine spacing needed for each plant and number of seeds needed.

Plan to rotate crops. I swap locations for nightshade plants like tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers; and cucurbits, like cucumbers, squash, and zucchini.

Order seeds when inventory is high and special off ers are available.

Amend the soil with organic fertilizer and compost. This will allow time for fertilizer and compost to break down before spring planting.

In early January, start cold-hardy greens like spinach, kale, collards, and lettuce in seed trays.

The fi rst set of leaves to form are elliptical and called false leaves. Their purpose is to break the surface of the soil. The next set of leaves are typical of the plant and are called true leaves. Once the fi rst set of true leaves form, fertilize from the bottom with a water-soluble fertilizer at one-quarter to half the recommended dosage. Once the plants are 3”-4” tall, the full recommended dose rate can be used.

February (Average temps: 35°F min. - 65°F max.)

Direct sow root vegetables like carrots, beets, and radishes.

Transplant cold-hardy greens. Before planting, harden off transplants by placing them outside for a few hours at fi rst, gradually increasing the time each day for a week.

Photo by Lynn Grayling Seedlings’ fi rst set of leaves to form are elliptical and called false leaves. Their purpose is to break the surface of the soil. The next set of leaves are typical of the plant and are called true leaves.

March (Average temps: 41°F min. - 71°F max.)

Transplant nightshade plants.

After the last frost, start cucurbits plants. Cucurbits cannot tolerate temperatures below 50°F. There is no need to rush cucurbits since they germinate quickly and are ready to transplant after a few weeks.

April (Average temps: 42°F min. - 75 max.)

Transplant cucurbits.

May (Average temps: 57°F min. - 75 max.)

Now that nighttime temperatures are above 50°F, indoor plants can be gradually moved outside. Indoor plants should be hardened off like vegetable transplants. Start by placing them in shade for a few hours each day, gradually increasing the time outdoors over a week or so. Then they can stay out for summer.

For more information, see North Carolina State Extension publication “Eastern North Carolina Planting Calendar for Annual Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs.”