Spring Means Go Time!

by Samantha Zale

Spring is a welcome sight as we dig ourselves out of the snow and cold of the winter season. This also means that the planting season is just around the corner! Right now is a good time to start preparing for planting. With us being in the St. Louis area, clay is a common component in our soils, which tends to cause a soggy situation in our garden beds. As we prepare for planting, mixing in a nutrient rich compost to our existing soils helps to break up the clay, allow for better drainage and an overall improvement to the health of our plants.

Spring is also the time to start planting cool season crops and annuals like lettuce, kale, arugula Swiss chard and pansies. However, herbs like basil will be ready to come out once the threat of frost has passed. Being in St. Louis, it is unfortunately hard to know for sure when that might be. Historically, March can still be quite chilly, and we have even had some significant snows in April. To be ready for this, we need to have a plan in place. Have a protected space ready to store sensitive plants like tropicals and annuals; for example, in the garage in the event of a frost warning or if snow is predicted. Frost cloth can be very useful if the area is too large or plants cannot be moved. There are products on the market that are specifically designed for plant protection, however, if you are in a pinch you can use an old bed sheet. The main thing to keep in mind is not to use plastic for frost protection because it can cause damage to the foliage if the plastic directly touches the plant.

Once your new spring plants have been purchased, they may need some time to acclimate to their new environment, which means if the plant was indoors or protected when it was purchased it will need a few days to transition to the outside. If the weather is nice, it can be brought outside during the day to get some bright but indirect light and then tucked back in at night. The reason why many perennials, trees and shrubs are able to go directly in the ground is because they had a chance to harden off (acclimate) by being outside at the garden center.

As new plants are being purchased and you are planning for the new season. It is important to remember things like root stimulators and fertilizers. Many plants like trees and shrubs benefit from the extra boost that a root stimulator can provide to help encourage root growth. Establishing healthy roots first is important because, without a strong root system, the plant will struggle with flower and foliage production. After a few months those plants will be ready for some fertilizer. There are so many types of fertilizers on the market, but the main thing to keep in mind is to get something formulated for what you want to use it on. For example, there are specific blends just for tomatoes or flowering annuals or evergreen trees. Finding the correct type of fertilizer is important because it puts the growth exactly where the plant needs it. It’s also important to begin a good watering regimen with your new plantings. Each plant is going to have different needs, so be sure to talk to your folks at your garden center to find out more about the specific needs of that plant.

With all that said, let’s get out there to prep our garden beds, pay attention to the weather, gather supplies and talk to the folks at garden centers. This is a solid process that sets us up for success for the growing season!

Photos by the author except as noted.