Spring planting dates

SQFTBIX 11/2/2011, 10:36 am

Ok, so according the NWS, this February and March are going to be mild. Given I usually hold off on my Spring plants until Mid March, would this prediction be a reason to move the schedule up by 2 - 4 weeks? Anymore, it seems that in my area (Baltimore MD), we have a very short early Spring and go straight into late Spring early summer by April. The last two years my Spring crops have been less than good as the temps hit the upper 70's by mid April. Anyone have any sage advice about this?

BackyardBirdGardner 11/3/2011, 11:16 am

Not qualified as "sage" advice, but...

I would do two things to help capitalize on this possibility. 1) Hoops. They heat up during the day and hold some heat overnight, especially if you use a couple layers underneath. 2) Seed starting indoors. Once you get the setup inside, if the weather doesn't cooperate, you can delay moving things outside a week or two easy enough. But, you have a huge head start as opposed to planting seeds outside and letting nature completely run the show. There is no way I could've harvested my broccoli and cauliflower otherwise. They had a 7 week head start inside waiting for the weather to cooperate.

If you are into gambling with nature, these two things are essential to learn at least the basics. And, it the early spring you will be itching so badly to start things, you won't mind the effort anyway.

Mikesgardn 11/4/2011, 8:02 pm

SQFTBIX,

The last two springs in the Baltimore area have been short, and I also didn't do too well with spring vegetables. But nothing is typical. 2008 and 2009 were the exact opposite. Perfect for spring vegetables. Let's hope this year is the same.

**camprn** 11/4/2011, 8:38 pm

LOL, farming and gardening is a crap shoot at the best of times, subject to the weather and the whims and mercy of the Gods. Shocked

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Spring planting dates

Spring planting dates

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