Getting ready to garden

[5ft Diva]

What are the types of seeds I can plant soon and is there anything special I need to prepare my garden soil if I didn't do it last Fall?

[natickgirl]

Disclaimer: I'm no gardening expert. I know a lot in theory, but can't always make it happen in real life. I can't even keep house plants alive!!!

It's my understanding that you can plant "cold weather" or "hardy" vegetables as soon as the ground is thawed enough to be workable. If you didn't add fertilizer to the soil in the fall, you'll want to work some in with the seeds. The soil will need to be broken up a bit so the roots can push down & the shoots push up.

Some cold-tolerant veggies include: peas, potatoes, onions, salad greens including spinach, swiss chard, carrots, beets. Most of these are root veggies, which are sweeter if planted early because the cold weather "tells" the veggies to store more sugar = energy to grow.

Broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, and cabbage need a little warmer temps, but should be planted before summer veggies like tomatoes, summer squash, etc.

Here is a link. I'm sure there are other great sites.
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[bookworm]

I agree with NG-- and thanks for the link!

[5ft Diva]

Originally Posted by natickgirl

Disclaimer: I'm no gardening expert.

Then you're the right person to talk to. I tend to get overwhelmed talking to experts. And thank for the information. It makes sense. Underground plants soon, above ground plants later.

[Erudite]

Good stuff, NG! Thanks so much!

One more thing. In Utah, you can GENERALLY count on the last frost being around Mother's day, so mid-May. (It was later than that last year, but GENERALLY...) A lot of your seed packets will say "6 to 8 weeks before the last frost", so you gotta know approximately when that is expected and with that info, you can count forward on the calendar and know about when to think about planting different kinds of plants.

Fun stuff! I can't wait. I was kinda irritated at this snow that fell today. I am still working on clearing out the dead stuff from last year and I need some warmth outside to do it so I can be ready for the planting part!