February 2009
According to The Old Farmer's Almanac, we just passed the astronomical midpoint between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. Does that make you feel better? That there are fewer winter days than have already passed? Spring will come, as it always does in its own good time. When I lived "up north", in Milwaukee, WI, it seemed like the end of winter would never come and the worst weather happened in February and March. I hope that's not the case where you are.
Here in the South, we have our winter, too, although it may not seem like it to those bracing snow, ice and frigid temperatures. What fools us is that after each cold front moves on, we have balmy weather again because the flow of warm air from the Gulf of Mexico moves back across our area. It's easy to believe winter is over. And, to get excited about planting warm weather crops. But, then in another week or so, another cold front moves through dropping temperatures and it seems winter is upon us again.
You just cannot rush the seasons. As gardeners, our efforts are ruled by the seasons and the weather. There are certainly ways to extend the season on both ends. People use Wall O'Water teepees to get a jump on the tomato crop. We use row covers and cold frames. We start plants indoors or in greenhouses so they're ready to go out once the weather warms up.
These techniques help us get more out of our gardening seasons.
If you live in the North or East right now, you might be looking at all the gardening and seed catalogs that have been delivered to you. The new plants and fresh vegetables are calling to you. Succulent basil, bright red tomatoes and colorful flowers reach out to you from the pages of the catalogs and your computer screen. You're planning bigger and better than last year. Well... if not bigger, certainly better. A smaller garden that you can tend to your satisfaction is more rewarding than a big patch that ends up weedy and unkempt.
If you live in the South or Coastal West, you might see warm season vegetables in the nurseries and big box stores already. If you plant cucumbers or tomatoes this early, you'll have to watch the weather forecast carefully to make sure you can cover your crops in case of a freeze. My advise is to wait a bit until closer to your average date of last frost. This information can be found on this map.
There are lots of things you can do for your garden right now, even if it's a bit early for those first tomato or basil plants. This is a perfect time to prepare your soil for the season ahead. If you live anywhere the ground is not frozen, you can start now adding compost, composted manure, leaves and other green matter to your beds. If you think you need more nutrients, there are a number of good balanced organic fertilizers on the market you can add with the other amendments. Just follow the recommendations on the package for amounts to add.
For us in South and Central Texas, I think of February as the time to work the soil, dig out the ever present Coastal Bermuda grass that plagues my beds and generally get things ready for March, when I like to plant.
If you've had a winter vegetable garden that is still producing, as I have, you can top dress with compost that will be mixed in when you get ready to plant the warm weather crops.
I planted about two-thirds of the vegetable area this fall with garlic which will take up space until June, so I am planning to plant peppers and eggplant here and there in areas usually used for ornamentals. I've done this before and it's really a nice way to grow these bush vegetables. Peppers and eggplants are especially pretty, I think, and look good mixed with flowers and herbs. Tomato plants are not as attractive, so they'll stay in the vegetable area.
If you live in the South or West, there is till time to grow cool season crops as well. If you can find transplants of broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage there's plenty of time to get a crop in. With the warmer days and cool nights you'll have fast growing plants that produce quickly. Lettuce, kale, spinach, Swiss Chard, beets, carrots, radishes can all be planted now from seed in the garden.
In the herb garden, you can seed dill, chervil and cilantro for cool season growing. Plants of any of the hardy herbs such as rosemary, oregano, thyme, lavender and parsley can be put in now.
In the South, it's time to start your own transplants of tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and everyone's favorite summer herb, basil. Find a sunny window, get a good potting mix, some small containers and fresh seed and you'll be on your way to growing your own transplants. It's easy and fun. Follow the directions on the seed packets for planting depth.
Don't forget The Herb Cottage Seed Selection. There's only a $1.75 shipping fee for any order, so get together with your family and friends and put in a big order. Many varieties of the vegetable and herb seeds are Certified Organic.
The rule of thumb for starting transplants is to plant the seed 6 - 8 weeks before the average date of your last frost. You can start cucumbers, squash and melons, too, to be put out when the soil and the weather is warm. Just check the date of your last average frost and count backwards, and you'll know when to start your seeds. Peppers and eggplant may take a little longer than tomatoes, cucumbers and squash. So, plan accordingly.
Even though my area of Texas is experiencing a drought, I'm jazzed for Spring. In fact, I plan to bring a few tomato plants to the Farmers' Markets this weekend so those who want to repot them into larger containers for a big head start can do so.
I wish you all a successful growing season, big, juicy tomatoes, savory, succulent herbs and fragrant, colorful flowers.
No matter that we may mount on stilts, we still must walk on our own legs. And on the highest throne in the world, we still sit only on our own bottom. -Michel de Montaigne, essayist (1533-1592)
Until Next Time,
Good Growing to You,
Cindy Meredith, proprietor
The Herb Cottage
442 CR 233
Hallettsville, TX 77964
phone & fax: 979-562-2153