IS IT TIME TO START PLANTING YET?

OK, took my own advise this past week and worked on my shed. Cleaned it out and even did the dreaded, scrape, prime, and re-paint "thing". Glad that's over...................!!

Is it time to start planting yet? Well, in beautiful southeastern Wisconsin, the answer is - YES. The general rule of green-thumbs is:

First week in April is Clean-up, Second week is Repair & Fertilize, Third week is start tomatoes from seed indoors............ and WE'RE OFF TO THE RACES!!.

You can also sow seeds outdoors for the following crops: asparagus, beets, carrots, chard, kohlrabi, leaf lettuce, mustard, onion sets, parsnips, peas, potatoes, radish, spinach, and turnip. Start new plantings of grapes, strawberries, raspberries, asparagus, and rhubarb as soon as the ground can be worked.

Since the weather can be very unpredictable here in Wisconsin, something I like to do with my Apricot Trees, is some pollinating by hand. The Apricot Trees bloom early, but the bees are still sleeping. So after years of NO FRUIT and much frustration, I decided to take pollination into my own hands. With the help of my Kabuki make-up brush, some duck tape, and my longest knitting needle, I was able to do the work of MANY bees.

And yes, it worked like a charm. Last year yielded a bumper crop. And I'm anticipating a good yield this year as well!

Catch ya next week. ;o)

Kim

The Urge To Start Planting

April 1st, and it is an absolutely GORGEOUS DAY here in beautiful southeastern Wisconsin. The urge to start planting is in the air. But hold on............. the average frost free date in southeastern Wisconsin is not until the first week in May! A good time to work on getting the compost pile going again. Or, if you are really ambitions - cleaning out the shed!!

This glorious 1st week of April is the time to sow seeds indoors of broccoli, early cabbage, cauliflower, celery, eggplant, and head lettuce. Even peppers can be sown from seed indoors now, too. But hold off a week or so on the tomatoes.

If you are ahead of the game, you can begin the process of hardening-off vegetable and flower seedlings that will be transplanted outside later this month; like your broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, head lettuce, onions, and parsley. Begin by placing flats in a shaded place protected from the wind. Gradually increase their daily exposure to sun and wind.

If you need any Raised Bed Garden Kits, now is the time to order. Remember, you will need to locate your "bed" in it's ideal location, and fill it with soil. Time waits for no man..................!!

An investment you will enjoy for YEARS and YEARS. www.RaisedBedGardenKits.com

Have a BLESSED EASTER!

Kim