Tips from the Potting Bench

Spring has officially arrived and so has the early birds wanting to plant peppers and tomatoes!

This past week the temperature and the sun had everyone coming into the nursery asking for tomatoes. This happens every year and every year I say, No, I won’t sell you tomatoes, it is too early! At first they look at me like I’m from outer space then I patiently explain that while the day time temperatures are warmer it is still too cold at night. If they are still looking at me sideways I elaborate by explaining about soil temperature, for those of you who are reading this sideways I will tell you what I mean.

It’s simple really, if you go outside and dig your hand down a couple inches into a garden bed you will know what I mean. The soil is cold, really cold! Now think about the tender new roots of a tomato plant having to live in that cold soil and then we get a spell of wet cold weather. Brrrrr, for a sun and heat loving veggie like tomatoes this is akin to torture. You don’t want to torture your tomatoes do you? It takes the soil a lot longer to warm up than it does the air, so it is best to wait on planting those tasty tomatoes. The best way to keep an eye on soil temperature is with an inexpensive soil thermometer. I won’t even mention the distinct possibility of having another frost or two, especially if you are at a higher elevation.

I know you are chomping at the bit to get out and get things planted, so here is a list of what can be safely planted now. Meanwhile do get out in the garden and start cleaning up and preparing the beds for those heat loving veggies. Loosen the soil add some compost and lime if you haven’t done that in recent memory. Our soils here tend to be on the acidic side, so an addition of lime every other year is a good idea. Fix the irrigation; I had some surprises when I went to turn it on in our upper garden this past week. If you get the beds all prepped now, once the soil temps are right, your job will be much easier and go faster too.

Now for the list of what to plant now, these are plants that can take the cool soil temps of this time of year. Broccoli, beets, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, kale, lettuce, leeks, mustards, onions, peas, radish, spinach, chard, collards and potatoes.

Tomatoes, peppers, beans, cucumbers and squashes all need a soil temperature of at least 70 degrees before they are plated out. So you can get them going in your warm and cozy green house until the soil warms up, or come on by and see us once it does, we’ll have lots of everything!