It's never too early to plan. Now that the first planting of peas and lettuce are in, it’s time to look elsewhere. With notebook and pencil in hand, write down chinonodoxa and snow drops. These are among the first things to bloom and scilla with the sky blue flowers will welcome any spring perennial border. These are perfect when planted with Vinca minor. Write them down, think of where you will plant them in the fall. Vinca loves the shade and when you really try you can get something more than just blue, purple or white. The everlasting fall planted bulbs will be purchased in the fall for next season’s first blooms. Now is also a time to think of other perennials like the myriad of Day lilies, not the ever blooming orange fulva cultivars, not the yellow Stella Doro that we see too much of, but the reds, and whites, as well as the purples and pinks that we will talk about later in June. Think about the other additions to your perennial borders, for yes, it is possible to have perennials in bloom even here in Maine from March to November.
Some attention also needs to be given even this early to some of the culprits that will try our wits as the season moves on. The slugs that we detest so strongly have started to develop so be on guard. My infestation was so bad last season that this year I will start off with something stronger than salt or dry wood ashes. This season I will start off with a selective application of a pest control called buggetta pellets that will quietly bait and destroy the ravenous slugs long before they get out of hand. Yes, we want to stay organic yet sometimes we need to carefully use something a wee bit stronger.
For me this season I have no other choice but to play their game better than they can. Buggetta bait will target only the slugs, and it is safe enough to use so that there is no secondary kill, even if the birds or the neighbor’s cat should eat the sickened slugs nothing will happen to them. This old time chemical remedy will be used only this once, this season to bring them back under control, then no more for years to come.
Now is also the time to get on your first application of fertilizer like a well balanced application of 5-10-5 or an application of 10-10-10 depending on your needs. If soil acidity is a problem an application of dolomitic lime should also go down. The lime will do its job along with the fertilizer with no interaction as long as it is dolomitic and not hydrated or pelletized.
Yes, it’s cool and yes we may still see frost, but don't worry, it will have no effect on your carefully planned garden, and yes your garlic is up and growing.
The indoor seeded tomatoes and peppers should still be doing well inside, either on a sunny window or under grow lights. When the weather warms a bit we will talk about hardening off your tender vegetables when warmer weather gets closer, but for now water your seedlings well when needed and keep going.
Too add a bit of color here and there get some locally grown pansies, but please ask, if they are hardened off before you begin. If they haven't been hardened off go elsewhere and maybe even pay a bit more. You will always get what you pay for when we support our local growers, not the big box stores that will entice you with nothing more than lower price pansies from either down south or direct out of a greenhouse without any preparation for our cooler weather.
Plant more peas and lettuce for continuous harvests and keep going and prepare for your best season ever.
Harrison Wood
Master Gardener, Windham Community Garden
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