For Michigan home gardeners, April offers the final few slow-and-steady weeks before the growing season really begins to ramp up in May. But there are still a few key tasks you can take on this month — most notably, planting the season’s first vegetable seeds in the ground outside.
According to Michigan State University Extension’s Smart Gardening planner, here are a few of the to-do’s you can put on your list this month:
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Prepare your garden’s soil. Once your soil is dry after the winter thaw, you can prepare it for planting. To check if it’s dry enough, take a handful of soil and squeeze; if the soil crumbles when you open your hand, it is ready to be prepped.
Fertilize based on soil test recommendations. If you’re unsure what nutrients your soil needs, a soil test can help you determine what to add while avoiding over-fertilizing, which can negatively impact plant growth. MSU Extension offers test kits for $26 that can be purchased online or, in some cases, at local county Extension offices. Test kits are also available at some commercial home and garden retailers.
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Plant cool season crops. Cold-tolerant veggie crops include onions, beets, lettuce, spinach, arugula, carrots, peas, turnips and radishes, which typically germinate at a minimum soil temperature of 40°F. Follow the instructions on each seed packet for planting depth, spacing and any special tips for that variety.
Finalize your garden supply list. If you haven’t already, check your garden storage and consider your 2024 garden plan to make a shopping list for this new season, including tools, transplants, stakes, fertilizer, garden gloves, and the like.
Keep lightweight coverings handy in case of a late freeze. Spring temperatures can be fickle and late freezes are not uncommon, so keep an eye on the weather — especially overnight lows — if you have any plants outside that you’re anxious about. Tablecloths or old sheets, even a bushel basket, can be used in a pinch to cover potentially sensitive plants when the forecast predicts a potential hard frost or freeze overnight. Tent the fabric so it’s not touching the plant, and be sure to remove it the following morning once it begins to warm up.
You can find more tips and gardening advice at Michigan State University Extension’s Gardening in Michigan site. Find a full growing-season calendar from Extension online here.
Source: mlive.com
