Weed prevention in springtime is the key to easy summer weed control. First, you'll need to get rid of weeds already growing in your garden space. Two of the easiest removal methods are simply hoeing or pulling by hand.
Next, prevent future weeds with a thick layer of mulch. Mulching keeps sunlight from reaching the soil. Most weed seeds need sunlight in order to germinate, so preventing light from reaching the seeds effectively prevents weeds from growing.1
Once your plants break through the soil, put down a two- to three-inch layer of organic mulch, such as clean straw or compost, between plants and rows. Always leave a gap of about two inches around the plant stems. An organic compost layer has the added benefit of feeding growing vegetable plants while also preventing weeds and water loss.1
Wrangling with a hose is frustrating, and sprinklers may cause extra problems. Overhead watering can encourage the development and spread of common garden fungal diseases. For ease and efficiency, install an automated drip irrigation system.
Drip irrigation sends a controlled amount of water to the soil, allowing plant roots to absorb all the water you determine they need. Drip irrigation also makes it easy to send water directly to your plants, reducing water loss.1
When shopping for a drip irrigation system, look for one with a timer, but don't just “set it and forget it." Always take your weather patterns into account, and adjust your irrigation schedule during times of rain or drought.
Choose the best fruits, vegetables, and herbs for your garden by identifying what plants can mature before cooler fall temps arrive in your area. Otherwise, cold weather can damage plants before harvest time arrives.
When your growing season and your plant choices match up well, you can start many garden favorites from seed. If your season is too short for seeding some favorites, go with pre-started seedlings, called transplants, to get a head start on growth. Seed packets and seedling plant tags include information on how many days each plant type needs to deliver its harvest. Your county extension agent can also help with information on the length of your area's normal growing season.
When shopping for seedlings, look for signs of good health. Buy well-rounded plants with vibrant color and evenly shaped leaves. Avoid buying lopsided, spindly plants or plants that show signs of disease, such as spots or discolored stems, or insect damage, such as holes or chewed leaves.
In addition to “time until harvest," seed packets and plant tags also include tips on planting time. Weather and soil temperatures influence proper timing, so tags may refer to your last expected frost date and whether to plant before or after that date. If you're uncertain when the last spring frost usually happens in your area, your county extension agent can help with that, too.
Many plants enjoy cool weather and do well in early spring, even when the soil is still cool. These include plants such as lettuce, broccoli and onions, which do well when planted early. Warm-weather crops, such as tomatoes, squash and eggplant, need warmer soil and temperatures. Late planting dates are crucial to their success.
Because plants need room to grow, spacing requires thoughtfulness. Seed packets and tags will help with this, too. Bushy plants, such as bush beans, need room to spread. Climbing plants, such as peas and pole beans, do well planted closer together and trained to grow up a trellis or support. Check the seed packet or seedling tag for the recommended spacing for each plant type you plan on growing.
When transplanting seedlings, don't attempt to separate the seedling from the soil it grew in; doing so might damage the fragile roots. To help reduce transplant shock, use a plant-starting solution such as Pennington® Ultragreen® Plant Starter with Vitamin B1. Water immediately after transplanting and keep seedlings evenly moist until they begin to put on new growth.
Good health helps plants resist insects and insect damage. With all you've done to create a healthy garden, you're off to a great start in the fight against pests, but even the healthiest plants might need some help now and then.
Look regularly for signs of pest invasion, including sticky residue and holes in fruit or damaged leaves. If you see insect damage, determine the type of pests that are invading your garden. Once you know what you're dealing with, you can pick the pesticide product that works best for you and the job at hand.
Trusted Sevin® brand garden insecticides are available in liquid, granular and dust forms to help you protect your garden against pest damage. Sevin® Insect Killer Ready To Use, Sevin® Insect Killer Ready To Spray and Sevin® Insect Killer Concentrate kill more than 500 insect pests by contact and keep protecting for up to three months. For many of your favorite fruits and vegetables, from tomatoes and bell peppers to blackberries and raspberries, you can treat your garden right up to one day before harvest.*
With a small amount of preparation and some gardening smarts, you can achieve a bounty of low-maintenance fruits and vegetables. With these seven spring tasks completed, you'll be all set to relax and enjoy the fruits of your (easy) labor.
* Always read product labels thoroughly and follow instructions carefully, including guidelines for pre-harvest intervals (PHI) on edible crops and frequency of applications.
Lilly Miller and Ultragreen are registered trademarks of Central Garden & Pet Company.
Pennington is a registered trademark of Pennington Seed, Inc.
Sevin is a registered trademark of Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc.
Sources:
1. Larry Stein and Doug Welsh, "Efficient Use of Water in the Garden and Landscape," Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.
