English: Amber Flush rose – Bagatelle Rose Garden (Paris, France). Français : Rose Amber Flush – Roseraie de Bagatelle (Paris, France). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Here in the Midwest, it is just about time to plant. The standing rule here is not to plant before Mother’s day. But you can get the beds ready so that when it’s time, you can just plop those plants into the ground.
Clear old dead stalks, branches, and old vegetable plants from last year.
Work you soil, Turn it over, add composting. You can work in egg shells, vegetable scraps, coffee grounds.
Homeowners are encouraged to test their soils for nutrient needs, and to apply only what nutrients are needed for a healthy lawn. Farmers practice the same testing procedure. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
For best results, test your soil. If you are one of those who aspires to master gardener, you can adjust the nutrients to meet the needs of the plants you will be putting in. Way over my head and skill set, and available time.
Push back all mulch so the ground begins to warm up. You don’t want to cover the ground with mulch until it has gotten warm and you need to keep the moisture in the soil. You don’t want the ground covered right now.
I always buy some organic soil to put in the holes when I’m planting. If you’ve been working your soil and composting, you probably don’t need to do this.
Keep an eye on the sunlight patterns to make sure that the plants will have the right amount of sun where you are planning to put them. I like to put my tomatoes where they get morning sun. That helps later in the season when it starts getting cold again. The morning sun will warm them up quickly after a chilly night.
Remember not to plant the same vegetables in the same place every year. Switch them up so you don’t drain all of the nutrients.
Next week you should be able to put those plants right in the ground!
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