Blog

You are currently viewing Start Spring Right With Early Planting!

Start Spring Right With Early Planting!

In the Poconos, we live in USDA zones 6a and 6b. This scale dictates the hardiness zones for planting in the country according to climate, but what does this mean for early planters and gardeners in March? Here’s how to prepare for early spring planting!

Early Planting Hardy Vegetables

Hardy vegetables are veggies that can survive frosts and wavering temperatures – something we’re all familiar with in spring when it can be 30 degrees one day and 50 the next! Some examples include cabbage, broccoli, carrots, beets, potatoes, peas, onions, radishes, and brussels sprouts. The soil is usually warmer than the exposed air, which means that as soon as the ground has thawed and is at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit, you should be clear to plant. Until then, it’s important to start your seedlings inside where it’s warm and transplant your new vegetable garden into the soil once it’s warm enough in late March or early April.

Early Planting Tender Bulbs

If you didn’t manage to get outside for spring prep before the first frost, don’t worry! Delicate bulbs such as dahlias, cannas, and gladiolas can be planted in March so long as temperatures are trending upwards. Flowers like tulips can also be planted in spring despite their ideal fall planting season – but beware. Tulips can be temperamental in the best of days and you should only plant them in spring once the ground is workable if the bulbs have lasted through the winter with some weight, if they aren’t dry, crumbly, soft, or mushy.

Planning Your Landscaping

Before you consider early planting, it’s important to go through your spring maintenance checklist and plan your landscaping. It’s not recommended to do all the work yourself, but there are some simple maintenance tasks you can do to guarantee the success of your garden. First, test your soil by sending a sample to your local county extension. That way you’ll know what needs to be added to your soil! This is also a great time to prune shrubs that flower and ornamental grasses, spraying fruit trees, cleaning your flower beds, and removing burlap over evergreens. For everything else including your landscaping designs and planning, proper mulching, and in-depth clean up call Mountain Road Landscaping today!