Planning A Spring Garden

Early spring is a great time to start planning your garden — choosing what species to plant, what use to make of the space that is available, and determine what your plants will require.

William Hastings, the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension’s agricultural field specialist for Coös County, said planning helps to get the most out of your garden space.

“They’re gonna want to think about things like, do my plants want full sun or shade? Should I transplant seedlings or should I direct-sow seeds? Is the plant I’m planting an annual or biannual or perennial, and how much space does this plant need when it’s mature?” Will said.

By and large, the seed catalogues and seed packages provide the necessary information about what plants are suited for New Hampshire’s climate and what the plants’ needs are.

Seeds will keep for several years if stored properly, but the Extension recommends buying only enough seeds for the current year’s use. If you buy more seeds than you need, it is a good idea to keep them in a cool, dry place. Those in laminated foil packets are likely to stay dry, but those in paper packets should be kept in tightly closed jars or containers and maintained around 40°F with low humidity, according to https://extension.unh.edu/agriculture-gardens/fruit-vegetable-crops.

The Extension warns that gardeners who save seeds from their own gardens may have seeds that are the result of random pollination by insects or other natural agents, and therefore may not produce plants like the parent plants.

Asked how a customer can be sure whether purchased seeds are viable, Will said, “By and large, seed companies are going to do their best to circulate that stock and make sure that what they’re selling is viable, but there are some tests for seed viability.

“I think without getting too into specifics, one option that folks can do is take a sample of those seeds, and they could soak them in a bowl of water for maybe an hour, and then lay them out on a moist paper towel, and make sure that towel stays moist, and over the next couple of days, they should see those seeds start to swell and crack and send out a root. As long as they do that, then, if we’re at a decent percentage of germination, then we can consider those fairly viable.”

With longer-season crops, it is a good idea to arrange an early launch of the growing season by starting the plants indoors.

“An example of that would be a tomato plant,” Will said. “If we can get a nice vigorous transplant going, that’ll help it get a jump-start on the season.

“Shorter-season, quick-growing crops like lettuce can either be started as a transplant or direct-seeded. Things with a really long root don’t like to be transplanted a lot of the time, so carrots would be an example of something that we would want to direct-seed. We wouldn’t want to try and transplant a carrot.”

Some plants, such as kale, will keep producing all season long, allowing the gardener to continue harvesting it throughout the summer and well into fall. Broccoli, on the other hand, will provide only one harvest.

“This is a reason why it’s good to read the seed packet,” Will said.

“Spring is also a good time to clean up our gardens or our planter containers,” Will continued. “We want to remove any old dead material or debris from last year, and this is important because that can harbor different pests or diseases.”

He said that means focusing on cleaning off what is on the surface, such as old tomato stems.

“Leftover roots in the soil are going to be okay the majority of the time. Those are just going to break down and contribute to your soil’s biodiversity, but tilling and hand-weeding and mulching are all good practices to keep on top of early-season weeds,” he said.

“If folks haven’t taken a soil test in several years, they may want to consider submitting one for testing,” Will noted. “You can reach out to your local Extension office and we would be happy to provide you with a sample form and guidelines. That’s going to tell you what nutrients your soil has in abundance and those that you should incorporate to provide proper plant nutrition throughout the growing season.”

It is a good idea to delay planting until the frost danger has passed, which usually means waiting until at least Memorial Day to plant the garden.

“Memorial Day is a conservative estimate of the last frost date in Central New Hampshire,” Will said. “While this winter wasn’t too impressive, late-season frost can still kill or damage newly growing plants, so it’s good to wait until this danger is past before we put out any unprotected plants.”

Preparing plants that have been grown inside from seedlings for being transplanted in the garden requires some acclimation — called “hardening” —, according to Will.

“Plants that are growing indoors in a controlled environment, especially under artificial light, are much more fragile than ones that have been grown outside,” he explained, “so we want to slowly introduce them into the real world. A good way to do this is to slowly increase their exposure to outside conditions.”

Start by placing them in a shady place on the porch for an hour or two, then bringing them back inside, he said.

“Then bring them outside, and then we’re slowly going to increase their exposure,” he continued. “So we’ll set them out for a few hours the next day, and slowly increase their exposure to the full sun, and get them used to being in the wind.”

“Most importantly,” Will said, “have fun with it and enjoy being outside.”

Those seeking more specific information can seek answers to their questions through Ask UNH Extension at 1-877-EXT-GROW (1-877-398-4769) or answers@unh.edu, a free service that connects home gardeners with Master Gardener volunteers.

Spring Yard and Garden Refresh

Your yard may look a little beat after a winter of snow, ice, and winds. Snow plowing multiple times likely created a few potholes in a dirt driveway, or damage or cracks in an asphalt path or driveway.

High winter winds might have torn branches from trees and scattered limbs in your yard, meaning those trees should be inspected for damage. Shrubs, even if covered last fall, may need some attention after their covers are removed. Do your windows need a good wash, and what about your home’s roof that may have endured wind and ice damage?

Letting these things slide is natural because it can seem daunting to inspect everything and spend time and money making repairs. However, to keep your home in tip-top shape and more enjoyable for the coming summer months, take a little time once the snow has gone to check for yard damage.

Says Nick Bernard of A Sharper Image Landscape, located in Alton, New Hampshire, “Now is the time to start an assessment of your yard. With the signs of warmer weather here and snow storms being over, you can safely start yard work.”

Bernard services residential and commercial properties around the Lakes Region, as well as installing beautiful patios, walkways, and veneer fireplaces to help homeowners get the most from their outdoor areas in the summer months.

Once mud season is safely over, refreshing and repairing your yard can begin. (The UNH Cooperative Extension outlines that mud season occurs when the top layer of soil thaws while deeper soils are still frozen and the water has nowhere to drain, leaving a thick layer of mud on the surface. This can occur in your lawn, garden, or gravel driveway so be cautious when using equipment, tools, and machinery in the spring. The soft upper layer could give way and create muddy ruts that may need to be renovated or reseeded. Give soil time to drain before using heavy equipment. Mud season usually lasts a couple of weeks so be patient to avoid lawn and garden damage.)

On-site meetings to assess what needs to be done and what solutions might be available to handle the damage winter can cause to a property are the norm for Bernard. Once the snow is gone, homeowners can also make a to-do list of chores. “You can look for fallen debris, snow plow damage, and signs of animals such as moles and voles that push up through the lawn.”

He adds that as the nights get warmer, you can unwrap the burlap you covered your shrubs to protect them from harsh winter conditions.

Before beginning yard work, your list of chores might seem daunting, but you can break it into manageable tasks, tackling one issue at a time, starting with a small job and working your way up to bigger tasks. But you needn’t handle the big jobs unassisted. Some tasks might call for equipment or skills you just don’t have, such as repairing a damaged driveway or fixing a roof, and it is sensible to bring in a professional.

Help the environment by thinking about sustainable yard clean-up before starting outdoor projects. What cleaning products could damage your lawn, the ground, and perhaps your well system? What products, from a simple cleaning rag to a sophisticated cloth or mop, might be eco-friendly vs. wipes or paper towels that will end up in the trash?

Properly dispose of household hazardous waste, and check your yard storage area for old batteries, fertilizers, fuel, gas cylinders, poisons, paint, and other items that might be hazardous.

Perhaps you planted bulbs last fall, hoping for flowers to spring up the following year? Springtime warm weather is a reality these days, but you can protect flowers that may be sprouting earlier. According to information from the UNH Cooperative Extension (copyright© 2024, University of New Hampshire), “Most bulbs can come up in March and April, but early emergence is not a cause for concern. Early leaf development may be damaged by freezing temperatures but as long as the flower buds remain below ground during colder temperatures they should flower as expected. If the buds emerge and are killed by the cold, the plant will likely survive and return to flower production the following season. A thick layer of organic mulch such as leaves, pine needles, or bark mulch, applied in late fall can help insulate the bulbs and keep them from emerging prematurely.”

Prune shrubs that may have been damaged by cold, snow, and wind. Prune back to the live stems using clippers vs. electric shears to prevent a thick outer layer of growth that blocks sunlight from getting to the center of the shrub. In the springtime, prune summer-flowering shrubs before buds appear.

The lawn is always a big part of yard care, and it too can take a beating in the winter. You should consider testing the soil’s pH to determine the best lawn treatment. 

But before tackling lawn work, watch for frost. Jeremy Caruso of Caruso Outdoor Maintenance explains, “People are eager to get started on yard work, and especially lawn care, and if the temperature rises to 55 degrees, they want to thatch and aerate their lawn. But watch for frost even if you have some warm days.”

After removing any dead leaves from the surface of the lawn, you can put treatments down. Re-loam spotty areas and put seed on top.

This might be the year to start a vegetable garden, and Bernard of A Sharper Image Landscape says it depends on what you want to grow. “Pick a good sun and shade spot, decide if you prefer an in-ground or raised garden bed, learn about composting, and then you can begin planting.”

For those who want a flower garden, you might start with Hosta plantings, which Bernard says are easy to grow, but be aware deer like them, too. Daylilies are another good garden choice.

Use 50/50 loam with compost in it, Bernard advises. Put mulch on top of flowers, (if you are starting a vegetable garden, you do not need to put mulch on top of the plantings.)

Many homeowners have added attractive pavers or other stonework pathways or areas of their driveway. Bernard explains that a pressure washer can remove any dirt and mildew that may have formed on stone pathways or a patio. “If your stonework is cracked, it is best to call in a professional and have them assess the problem and suggest what needs to be done to fix it,” Bernard says.

The outdoor lover/homeowner may want to try something eye-catching and enjoyable, such as a fountain or small pool. “It takes some knowledge, " Bernard suggests, “You can try to do it on your own, but it is a bit more complicated to install and needs the right type of liner.”

As well as maintaining your current yard, it could be time to add a new feature to your property. A repaired or new deck is a popular choice. Decks are standard in the Lakes Region, and they provide outdoor entertaining areas, or a handy area to tie up your boat when the deck is placed over the water.

Decking options are varied. When considering a new deck, think about how you will use it, and what may make your enjoyment better. Utilize this as a guide to upgrading your existing deck or new deck installation. It is important to design the deck with your goals in mind. Consider the furniture you will be using, as well as circulation patterns through the deck. For example, think of traffic flow to avoid stepping over your favorite chair to get to the grill. These days, synthetic materials are popular. They last longer and provide many color options. And most synthetic materials can feel like real wood.

If you already have a deck, inspect it annually for signs of chipping or worn paint and stain, rot, or damage. Make repairs as early as possible. 

A deck can take a beating and the exposure to the outdoor elements could see deck nails beginning to pop, the wood to crack and the stain to peel. Mold from pounding rain and wintertime snow can add to deck replacements.

There are many other outdoor upgrades to add to family enjoyment this summer, such as a fire pit, an outdoor stone fireplace, a new deck or patio, or other improvements. Figure out your needs, jump in, and get your yard ready for sun and fun days ahead.

(Information for this article is from Nick Bernard of A Sharper Image Landscape (find A Sharper Image Landscape on Facebook), UNH Cooperative Extension (https://extension.unh.edu), and Jeremy Caruso of Caruso Outdoor Maintenance (www.carusooutdoormaintenance.com).