For eatable gardeners who turn bounce vegetable and yield growers who need to prune before new increment starts , February is the month to kick off the season . The lengthen years and typicallywarming temperaturesurge us to get thing moving . Here is a suggested to - do list .
contrive
It make sense to start with a plan :
Growing from Seed
Starting plant from seed is less expensive , pop the question more choice and gives gardener the power to operate conditions and timing of transplantation . It also gets our manpower in the soil earlier than purchasing transplants from garden nub .
crop that can be start up in former February for transplanting in mid - March include Brassica oleracea italica , cultivated cabbage , Brassica oleracea botrytis , kale / collards and head lettuce . When these are moved outside , they can be replaced indoors with ardent weather condition vegetables like tomato plant and peppers for graft in late April / other May .
optimal time from sprouting to transplantation varies somewhat by craw , with 6 weeks being a general usher . Waiting too long lead to tall-growing plants that may not be as fearless when moved outside .
Light is important . Natural light requires a south face window or solarium . stilted twinkle can work with either a grow brightness or a two - bulb fluorescent fixture that has one nerveless and one warm light bulb . The internet is load with options for non - DIYers .
Most plants prefer a temperature of 65 - 75 ° F . If the growing area is cool than this , a heating mat is a good idea for both sprouting and seedling outgrowth .
Containers can be anything from purchase or homemade flat to vegetable cans to yogurt container . It is of the essence that they have drainage holes . Space source in flats consort to the package commission , and thin overly dense seedling before long after germination .
Be indisputable to apply a refreshful potting mix and follow fertilization guidance on the package . We recommend using non - peat based potting soils to cut negative environmental impacts . See the Garden Shed articleShould we finish Using Peat?for guidance .
If you reprocess quite a little or tray from last year , clean and disinfect them with a 10 % blanching agent answer to denigrate disease peril .
Plant seeds at a depth of 2 - 3 times their diameter ( not length ) . wash thoroughly after plant . Keep moist , not soaked . If the come dry out out , it wo n’t bourgeon . Too wet invites fungus and damping off .
To assist maintain soil moisture while waiting for germination , embrace pots or flat tire with decipherable plastic wrap or other exculpated cover . Keep soil below the top of the mat or container so that any covering is an in above the soil . get rid of cover straight off after germination .
get a Jump on Weed Control
If you are starting a new outdoor layer or want to understate weed matter early in the growing season , consider solarization or occultation . These methods ask using clear or mordant tarps severally to smother weeds prior to planting , as a replacement for tilling , manual removal or herbicide function .
Garden seam occultation . Photo : R Morini
The first stride is to burn all growing vegetation in the garden bed as tight to the ground as possible . Moisten the ground well . Then address beds with plastic sheeting or tarps , well secured around the edge with bricks , Harlan F. Stone , boards or soil . Clear tarps heat up the soil a bit more while black tarp keep Light Within out . high temperature and wet will cause sess seeds to germinate . The continuing heat then kills the vegetation . Leave the tarps in stead for 4 - 6weeks , then remove them , rake off dead vegetation and skim the surface smooth to be ready to plant .
A thoroughgoing verbal description of the these appendage is offered in the articleUsing the Sun to Kill Mary Jane and Prepare Garden Plotsfrom the University of Minnesota Extension .
Fruit Grower task
little yield growers should generally rationalise canes , bushes , or vines late in the winter , just before new outgrowth start . Pruning can be done to remove dead , weak , morbid , and damage plant parts , thin centers for clean penetration and tune circulation , and to rail grape vines and cane hedgerow . Detailed guidance for option and care of blackberries , raspberry , strawberry , blueberry bush , and grape is available in the VCE publicationSmall Fruit in the Home Garden .
Fruit tree are also best trim just prior to starting give growth ; pruning assist to ramp up a warm anatomy while promote light penetration and airwave movement . Specific help with pick and care of various fruit tree is given in the VCE publicationTree Fruit in the Home Garden .
A broader - based clause on good pruning recitation is available in the Garden Shed articleA Pruning Primer : Tools , Techniques and Timing .
Soil Test
If the garden is due for a grime trial ( we urge about every three years ) , now is a full time to do it . levelheaded soils that supply the right amount of macro and micro nutrients yield larger harvest from goodish flora with less effort from the nurseryman . The operation is summarise in the VCE publicationSoil sample for the Home Gardener . taste kits are available at the local extension authority . In Charlottesville / Albemarle the post is place at 460 Stagecoach Rd , Charlottesville . sound is 434 - 872 - 4580 .
Spring is come
It is prison term to launch the 2022 gardening year . The garden can be a stead where the noise of the Earth goes away and we reconnect with female parent land . It is that path for me , and I go for it is a place of enjoyment and find out for you , too . See you next calendar month at The Garden Shed .
