![]() Cover Brassica crops with floating row cover to protect from cabbage moth and flea beetle damage if these little critters have been a problem in the past.Select smaller rather than larger plants of the cole crops (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts) since overly mature plants exposed to low temperatures early in the season tend to bolt into flower too early. By the end of March you should be safe to start the process of hardening off for transplant outside of your onions, parsley, and any other cool season crops that are at least 5 weeks old. ![]() Start transplants indoors of tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant- try to get this done by the 15 th.Add organic matter to soil to improve soil tilth and drainage.Now is a good time to repot them if needed and give them a good feeding. ![]() The longer days and shorter nights will stimulate your houseplants to start growing again.Spread compost over beds that you will plant next month.Get a soil test if you haven’t already done so.Mow winter cover crops and turn them under if the soil is dry enough to cultivate.Give your Valentine a plant or a gift certificate for garden supplies.If you have the space, plan to grow an extra row of food to share with those less fortunate in your area. Towards the end of the month plant them in the garden beneath cloches or a plastic low tunnel. Harden off ready brassica seedlings outdoors in a cold frame.You want to complete this while still dormant and before spring growth begins. If you haven’t already, now is a great time to prune your fruit trees, berry bushes, and other woody ornamentals on your property.Avoid the spring rush and take your lawn mower and any other mechanized tools you use in for service.Direct sow outdoors seeds like Nigella, Poppy, and Larkspur so they get a few weeks of cold temps which will aid in their germination.Direct sow carrots, Swiss chard, peas, collards, kale, kohlrabi, leaf lettuce, onions, parsley, parsnips, beets, leaf lettuce, radishes, salsify and spinach as soil and weather conditions permit.Get your seed final orders in if you haven’t already to ensure you get what you want.Give your tools a good cleaning and sharpening.Late this month, mow winter cover crops.If you aren’t a carpenter, now is a good time to try a straw bale cold frame. Build a new one if you would like to expand. You can also start inside flowers and herbs that have a long germination period, like rosemary, snapdragons, and begonias. Many perennial flowers should be started inside by the end of the month as well. ![]()
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