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Spring Gardening 101 – Part Two

Barn Goddess® Leslie Honaker, "The Gardener"

In part one of Leslie's tips on Spring Gardening in the desert, she shared advice on getting your soil ready for planting. Now, it's time to get growing!

Seeds

Look for varieties that offer short or “early” growing cycles.

Select varieties that are known to do well in the desert.

Look for organically grown seeds, and try heirloom heritage varieties.

Plant seeds according to package instructions except for the recommended time for planting.

Water in seeds gently, and keep the soil evenly moist (not muddy) until seeds germinate.

After seedlings are established, allow the soil to just barely dry out between slow, deep waterings.

If seeds do not sprout within the time noted on the package, then re-plant.

Try planting rows of carrots, lettuce, and beans in two-week intervals to enjoy longer harvests.

Transplants

Select healthy, pest-free plants with good green color and sturdy stems.

Bigger is not always better—look for small to medium sized transplants that are not root-bound.

Avoid the 1-gallon tomatoes!

Gently slide transplant out of its pot. Roots should be white and loose—avoid tight/circled roots.

It’s best to let the transplants acclimate to your environment for several days before planting.

Transplant early morning or early evening to avoid sudden wilt caused by moisture stress.

Ensure transplant is moist or watered before planting.

Tickle the roots gently by loosening the soil and exposing the roots when transplanting.

Add a tablespoon of steamed bone meal or soft rock phosphate in the planting hole to encourage strong root development.

Thinning

It’s hard to do, but thinning or removing weaker sprouts will help ensure strong plants and good harvest.

Wait at least two weeks after sprouting to thin.

Cut with scissors or gently pull the weaker sprouts; avoid disturbing roots of the stronger sprouts.

Save thinned sprouts to eat! These “micro-greens” are especially good in salads or sandwiches.

Fertilizers: What to Choose?

Organic fertilizers may be derived from plants, animals or minerals.

The nutrients, primarily nitrogen, generally are released slowly over a period of time.

Nitrogen produces lush green growth on your plants.

If your soil has been prepared well, you will need only minimal applications of fertilizer.

Wait until the plant has been growing four weeks before adding fertilizer.

Recommended Organic Sources of Nitrogen:

• Alfalfa Meal Feather Meal
• Bat Guano (nitrogen based)
• Fish Emulsion
• Blood Meal
• Sea Bird Guano (nitrogen based)
• Cottonseed Meal (good for plants needing acid)
• Worm Castings

Mulching

As the temperatures cool or heat up, mulching will help keep the soil temperature regulated.

Mulch also minimizes water evaporation, acts as a weed barrier, & enriches soil as it breaks down.

Keep mulch an inch or two away from the root ball and base of the main stems.

Suggested mulch materials include: compost, leaves, hay, or straw.

Warm Season Planting

Learn more about Leslie Honaker

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