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Getting A Jump On Spring
Getting A Jump On Spring
Try these ideas to get a head start on your spring garden.
- Try wintering over a late planting
of lettuce by covering it with a foot of loose hay. This also
works for other crops such as greens and parsley, but the
flavor will be stronger.
- In areas where the ground stays
frozen all winter, try planting a crop of peas after the ground
has frozen. You'll get a big jump on the next growing season.
- To warm the soil more quickly,
cover the ground with clear plastic.
- Many plants can be started indoors
from seeds, then transplanted to the garden when the soil
warms. Some plants that start easily from seeds are cabbage,
cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and lettuce. Some
other plants are more difficult to start from seeds. They
require just the right amount of sunlight and water, as well
as a warm environment. These include peppers, eggplants, tomatoes,
celery, petunias and begonias just to name a few. Find out
more in Starting
Plants from Seed.
- Hotbeds and coldframes are great
season extenders. Oregon State University Extension Service
has an excellent article on Constructing
Coldframes and Hotbeds
available online in Acrobat Reader format.
- Hot caps act as little greenhouses for tender young plants. They can be purchased at your garden supply store, or you can make your own from gallon milk jugs. Cut the bottom from the milk jug, and anchor it firmly to the ground over your plant. Leave the lid off to allow air to circulate.
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