March

Going against the advice of veteran growers and waiting until Memorial Day to plant anything outside, I planted my potatoes mid-February. Then it snowed, and snowed some more, and the potatoes' vibrant purple shoots shriveled and died. My dad would be shaking his head, without saying a word telling me, "I told you so!"

Sometimes we take the risk and lose a few plants. Sometimes we win and get an early crop. This month, the eager gardeners can get ready for planting by starting seeds indoors and checking the hardiness rating of seeds to determine which varieties can be planted outdoors. 

Hardy plants can tolerate frost and be planted out in early spring.

They include:
Swiss chard
Spinach
Peas, shelling/snap/snow
Corn salad(mâché)
Fava beans
Garbanzo beans
Cilantro
Fennel
Arugula
Onion sets
Some varieties of lettuce
Many annual flowers
(Late March)
Potatoes
Jerusalem artichoke

Half-hardy plants can tolerate some cold, but thrive with nighttime temperatures between 47 and 53 degrees F. Sowing seeds under a cloche gives you a jump on the season, providing protection and regulating temperatures to speed germination and growth.

These include:
Beets
Carrots
Radish
Collards
Chinese cabbage
Dill
Spring broccoli
Kale
Mustard
Endive

Now is the time to get started on sowing seeds indoors for long-season summer veggies. A heat-regulated propagation box with grow lights is ideal, but a bright, warm windowsill is a satisfactory place to start transplants.

Seeds to start indoors include:
Rhubarb
Celeriac
Celery
Lemon balm
Broccoli
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Ground cherry
Hot peppers
Sweet peppers
Tomatillos
Tomatoes
Chives
Leeks
Onions

We hope you have fun planting. Let the gardening season begin!