Garden Planting Times

OurTinyHomestead.com

YEAR: ______KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER

GARDEN PLANTING TIMES- Preparing Seeds: START SEEDS INDOORS  Soak seeds overnight in warm water before planting. # of Weeks Date in Plant  Scarification: when needed means to Before Last Wisconsin nick the outer shell of the seed so Frost moisture can get in. You can use sand paper, a file, or nail clippers. 10 weeks March 1 peppers  Stratification: This means that seeds need to experience Winter before they will germinate, so keep them in wet soil 8 weeks March 15 basil* in the refrigerator for several months parsley before trying to grow them. cabbage head lettuce Planting seeds:  Mix seed starting “soil” with warm water until it is evenly moist. 6 weeks April 1 zinnia  Gently tamp down soil into pots to (5-8 weeks) nasturtium remove any air pockets. (4-6 weeks) sunflower Plant Lights:  Until seeds germinate, leave the plant 4 weeks April 15 tomatoes* lights on 24 hours a day. cosmos**  After the seeds sprout, leave the light on (sprinkle soil 16 hours a day. lightly over  Light should be 2 inches above the seed) tallest seedlings. marigold** marjoram** Watering:  The soil should not dry out.  Water from the bottom. Keep the seed Last frost May 3-9 pots in a tray and pour the water into the Zone 5 tray. The plants will soak it up.

* These times work well. It seems like Fertilizing: everything else should be started earlier.  Once the plants have their first true leaves, fertilize once a week with a ** These times definitely seem too late: the fertilizer diluted to half strength plants are still tiny by the time you can buy (assuming your soil doesn’t have large, in bloom versions at garden centers. fertilizer in it).

Hardening Off:  Begin two weeks before planting date.  Leave plants in a sheltered area for 1-2 hours the first day, then increase exposure each day. OurTinyHomestead.com

SEEDS TO BUY GARDEN TO DO

PLANTS TO BUY