By Tamara Lawson, Marketing & Owner Services Assistant, Co-op Owner
The frost here in Central Michigan lasts long after the arrival of spring in late-March, therefore many Michiganders wait until early June to start planting their outdoor garden space. Planting Memorial Day weekend has been tradition or perhaps controversy for families, but many gardeners wait to plant until the last frost, well after the mid-May. If you are itching to get into Earth and work in the soil, here is a practical list of what can be done to bide the time!
Clean and Inspect Garden Tools
Before getting into the thick of it, examine garden tools for rust, sap, and even regular wear and tear. Garden debris can be cleaned from tools by using a stiff brush and soaking or scrubbing them in a bucket of warm water with a biodegradable cleaner, such as Dr Bronner’s Sal Suds. To remove dried sap from garden tools, try rubbing isopropyl alcohol or mineral spirits onto the sap and wiping with a clean cloth. A clean tool can help prevent the spread of disease or pests from plant to plant; there are many methods for sanitizing garden tools between uses. Cleaning options might include isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, boiling the tool, or even using disposable disinfecting wipes. Use what works best for your lifestyle. Hinged tools must be dried and lubricated as needed. Sharpen dull blades, and inspect tools for any damage, including rotted wooden handles and loose attachments or fixtures. Keep garden tools in useable condition by cleaning them after each use, providing regular maintenance, and storing in a dry, clean area.
Removal of Garden Debris
Garden debris acts as a natural weed suppressant, helps to retain moisture, and also moderates soil temperature which promotes healthier soil. The leaves and plant stems from the previous season offer several advantages in the garden, therefore it is worthwhile to keep old foliage in the garden for beneficial insects and pollinators until temperatures reach 50 degrees Fahrenheit for a consistent period of time. Foliage offers shelter for overwintering insects and pollinators. Note any animal tracks, scat, or traces of insects.
Start clean up by removing limbs, sticks, leaves, and any other debris; cutting back any dead foliage along the way. Avoid damaging plants and encourage healthy growth by researching the specific plant to determine the best pruning techniques. Cut back the stems of perennial plants, especially those affected by diseases. To deter the spread of disease in plants, it is beneficial to clean garden clippers, pruners, snippers, and any other cutting tools after they are used on each plant. Michigan State University Extension suggests integrated weed management using a combination of preventative measures, including hand-pulling, mulching, flaming, or using natural alternatives like boiling water or vinegar, and even using herbicides. Hand pulling weeds, then covering with cardboard until planting time, is a great method for a smaller space.
Design and Plan the Garden
There are countless design options for garden space represented on social media and television, in magazines, plant stores, and gardening centers; the plethora of options can create information overload and sometimes even lead to confusion or anxiety! Simplify the process by defining the purpose of the garden while taking into consideration any space constraints, required maintenance, and light and wind exposure. Some questions to ask yourself are: how much room is needed to grow the produce the family enjoys, will there be a barter system in the neighborhood for the plentiful zucchini, will the produce be used right away, or will it require preservation? Researching plant types prior to planting allows you to navigate what type of seeds to sow or plants to buy before shopping, a soil test might also help determine the best plants to grow. Adding mulch instead of amending the soil is also an option.
March to mid-April is a good time for indoor sowing warm-weather produce, such as tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. April and early May are excellent months to plant cold-tolerant crops such as spinach and kale or even root vegetables like carrots and beets.
GreenTree is happy to offer products to make life easier with items like watering cans, gardening gloves, Fox Farm Happy Frog potting soil, and High Mowing Organic Seeds like Preludio fennel and nasturtium. Fennel attracts beneficial insects and pollinators such as black swallowtail butterflies and ladybugs, while nasturtiums attract hoverflies and lacewings; both insects are known to deter aphids. For more information about beneficial insects, soil sampling, or testing, contact your local MSU Extension agents.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/planning_your_weed_control_programs
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