Finally, your plants are ready to place in your outdoor garden. You have patiently nurtured your seedlings and hardened off the young plants. Now it’s time to get them into the ground. Hopefully the weather has been warm enough for you to prepare the soil for your new plants. Healthy plants require healthy soil. Experienced gardeners recognize the importance of good soil and work throughout the year to “amend” the soil for healthy plant growth. Compost has been added and/or cover crops were
planted in the fall to help nourish the soil. Even if you are new to gardening and are turning the soil for the first time, there are steps you can take to be successful. Consider purchasing composted material or aged manure to incorporate in the soil. “The soil is a storehouse for all the elements plants need to grow: nutrients, organic matter, air, and water. Soil also provides support for plant roots. When properly prepared and cared for, soil can be improved each year and will continue to grow plants forever. Un-cared for soil will soon become suited only for growing weeds.” * Remember to refer to your seed packets to determine if your plants need full or partial sun or shade.
Spend a spring weekend watching your garden plot to determine the amount of sun or shade available. Most vegetables require
many daily hours of full sun. Knowing and waiting for the last frost date for your locale is another key to successful gardening. Southern New York is in hardiness Zone 5 and safe planting, without the threat of frost, usually occurs around Memorial Day. But some locations close to the Finger Lakes are warmer and may allow you to plant in mid-May. Check extended weather forecasts for you area to make an informed decision.
The Internet has a wealth of information about plant food and watering. Most importantly, have fun out in the garden!
*Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Check out the websites listed below for more information
Soil preparation https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/library/gardening/soil-preparation/
Plant Hardiness Zone Map https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/
Blog Post brought to you by:
Beth Lisk
Master Gardener
