A comprehensive, no-pressure, simple list of reminders to help keep your garden healthy and thriving. Pick and Choose what you need to do. Check back often to see what is next on the To-Do list!
March ~ Winter into Spring
We are just beginning the seed starting season. A good time to buy your seeds and gather the seed starting supplies together. For us northern gardeners, we have a little wiggle room, and a little grace, yet still moving forward to getting ourselves organized.
If you need seeds, we are fully stocked and ready to send out your hand-packed seed collection within a day or two. Plus, you save $10 in March when you sign up for our newsletter, which includes planting updates like this. (look for the light blue button in the lower left hand corner that says, 'Save $10 in March!')
Be sure to check back in a few days. There willl be new additions to the garden planner.
-
Seed StartingAll month for Alliums
Alliums include onions, chives, bunching/green onions, leeks, and shallots. We want to start these about 10-12 weeks prior to planting them outside. Some people start them in February; I wait until early to mid March and have even started in early April with success. We will be loading a demonstration video this month on how to start allium seeds. Basically, there are two ways I recommend: broadcast in a 1020 tray of soil or plant 2-3 seeds in a 2" planting pot ¼" deep. I prefer the pot so I don't have to tear them apart later and can just plant the pot of onions seedlings by 2's. Soil needs to be 60° for germnation in 7-14 days. -
Seed StartingAll month for Celery
Celery is another early start seed with a long growing time in the field, most varieties take 100 days to maturity. Except our seed variety, which will be ready in 80-90 days. We start these around 10 weeks prior to planting outdoors when temps are stable and above 50°. I plant 2 seeds per 2" pot on the surface, as celery needs light to germinate with soil temp at around 70°. It will take 15-20 days to sprout. Need to be patient with these. -
Cold StratificationAll month for Lavender
Lavender, as well as its relatives, Thyme and Rosemary, are known to be difficult to germinate. One trick is to place just the number of seeds you plant to plant in the refrigerator for 14-28 days to simulate natural cold conditions that these seeds must experience before germination. Place your seeds in the back of the fridge where temps are more stable and don't cover any venting. Set a reminder, so you don't forget they are there. I just pop my whole packet in the back, as I know I will be planting all the seeds. We will be planting these in a couple of weeks. -
Cold StratificationAll month for Rosemary
I am going to repeat myself, so if you read the first one, you have read this one too! Rosemary, as well as its relatives, Thyme and Lavender, are known to be difficult to germinate. One trick is to place just the number of seeds you plant to plant in the refrigerator for 14-28 days to simulate natural cold conditions that these seeds must experience before germination. Place your seeds in the back of the fridge where temps are more stable and don't cover any venting. Set a reminder, so you don't forget they are there. I just pop my whole packet in the back, as I know I will be planting all the seeds. We will be planting these in a couple of weeks. -
Cold StratificationAll month for Thyme
I am going to repeat myself, so if you read the first one, you have read this one too! Thyme, as well as its relatives, Rosemary and Lavender, are known to be difficult to germinate. One trick is to place just the number of seeds you plant to plant in the refrigerator for 14-28 days to simulate natural cold conditions that these seeds must experience before germination. Place your seeds in the back of the fridge where temps are more stable and don't cover any venting. Set a reminder, so you don't forget they are there. I just pop my whole packet in the back, as I know I will be planting all the seeds. We will be planting these in a couple of weeks. -
NEW! Sign up for a Class! | $60.00Seed Starting Class March - April
We have a new series of hands-on, in-person, seed starting classes that are kept small to focus on skill building and getting your questions answered. These are adult-learning centered with all the supplies included. Bonus! You will be taking planted seeds home with you!
Seed Collections Tailored for Zones 3 & 4
Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho
North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan
New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine
