Making Preparations for Springtime Gardening & Planting

Springtime is finally here and, if you’re like the green thumbs here at Nalls Produce, you’re itching to get outside and start playing in the dirt.  As with anything in life, preparation is key, and it’s no different when it comes to giving your garden the best jump-start.  Whether you traditionally grow only flowers or vegetables, or you just have a few containers for herbs on your deck, there are several steps you should take as you prepare to start this season’s outdoor planting.

First and foremost, you want to assess the area you’ll be working with and devise a plan accordingly.  If you’re planning on a major landscaping project, or putting in a first time garden, you’ll want to map out your property so you can be sure that the location of each plant will be ideal for its specific soil and sunlight needs.  Even if you’re only doing a small container garden, you should still assess how much space you have to work with, if you’ll be able to fully accommodate the plant’s full growth, and if you can adequately provide for sunlight requirements.  It’s always better to answer these questions up front, before making any purchase.  Many of us have learned the hard way, especially as first-time gardeners, when the zeal to begin gets the best of us and we rush into planting without considering the specific needs of the plant.

As always, tidying up your planting area before hand is vital.  So, be sure to allow for spring rainfall runoff by clearing away debris from any drainage ditches.  If you’re utilizing raised beds, assess their condition and make repairs to any that have become bowed or damaged over the winter.  Also, if you still have any “plant skeletons” left over from fall, those should be removed to make way for new growth.  For hydrangea lovers, you can begin to change their color for summer by adding lime or soil acidifier to their beds.  This is also the time to get your existing flower and plant beds mulched, as well as preparing any of your planting soil with an organic, dry fertilizer.

While the unseasonably cool weather took a chunk out of our traditional planting season, it looks like we’re now able to move full steam ahead with seasonal planting.  This is especially true for peas, leeks, cabbage, broccoli, kale, and lettuce, as well as, most trees, shrubs, and perennials.  However, if chilly nights are looming in the forecast, be sure to delay planting any heat-loving seedlings (such as peppers, eggplant and tomatoes), or go ahead and start them indoors for later transplanting once nighttime temperatures are more stable.  Also, while you wait for the summer annuals to bloom, consider planting pansies in your flowerbeds or containers.  Despite their name, they are hearty and can withstand frost, so they’re ideal for flowerbeds and outdoor containers when the weather is unpredictable.

Our staff at the Garden Center at Nalls Produce is ready to help with all of your springtime planting needs.  Be it flowers, vegetables, fruits or major landscaping projects, we have the resources and expertise to help make your efforts a success.  Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, we’d love to be of assistance, so stop in and see us any day of the week at 7310 Beulah Street, Alexandria, VA 22315, reach out to us at 703-971-4068 // info@nallsproduce.com, or check us out on the web at nallsproduce.com.  Have fun playing in the dirt this spring!