Now’s the Time to Plant Cool Weather Crops

 

Cool season crops are the early risers of the garden world—they thrive in the gentle embrace of spring’s cooler temperatures and often manage to withstand light frosts. These crops perform best when soil temperatures are between about 40°F and 70°F, a range that helps them develop textures and flavors that many gardeners prize.  

Beets, broccoli, cabbage, kale, lettuce, peas, spinach, turnips like the cooler spring temperatures and can be planted from seed now, by direct sowing into your garden or raised bed.    

   

You can also plant broccoli, cabbage, kale, spinach and many others from vegetable transplants, also known as starter plants. starts now, just be sure you harden them off before you plant them.   

 

You’ll get the best harvest if you do these things. First, select a site that will receive at least six hours of direct sun each day.  Check the soil to see if it’s workable. A quick way to check is to grab a fistful and squeeze it. If it crumbles the soil is ready to be worked.  

Next, pick some bags of Earth Essentials Sheep, Peat and Compost,

Fox Farm Bush Doctor Coco-Loco

and Wiggle Worm™ earthworm castings.

Take the bags home, dump them into a pile, mix it all together and add to your vegetable garden or raised bed. 

This is also a good time to add some organic fertilizer. Organic fertilizers will carry the OMRI seal on the bag. OMRI stands for Organic Material Review Institute.

Products with the OMRI seal have gone through rigorous testing to assure the ingredients are organic. Put some in the bottom of each row or planting hole, so the roots of your new plants can grow into it. 

 

In addition to cool weather crops, onions and potatoes can also be planted now. Onions are planted from seed, sets and plants.  

When it comes to planting potatoes, egg-sized seed potatoes can be planted whole. Larger seed potatoes can be cut in half or quartered and then planted. Make sure you have at least one set of "eyes" on each piece you plant. Always select certified seed potatoes. Supermarket potatoes are often treated to prevent them from sprouting.  

 

 

While you're at it, plant some pansies and violas for color.    

How to Stop Crabgrass Before it Starts

 

Maintaining a healthy lawn and garden requires proactive care. One effective strategy is using products containing a preemergent, which work by preventing weed seeds from germinating—stopping unwanted plants before they even have a chance to sprout. When applied at the optimal time, in early spring, these products can significantly reduce the presence of invasive weeds while reducing ongoing maintenance efforts. 

Annual weeds, such as crabgrass, spurge and purslane which complete their life cycle in a single growing season, typically depend entirely on seed production. They invest heavily in producing numerous seeds to ensure that their species persists, making seed germination a key target for preemergent herbicides. 

A preemergent works by creating a barrier that targets the germination process of weed seeds. This approach is very effective for weeds that rely predominantly on seed production.

 

Preemergent lawn and garden products are designed to prevent weeds from growing by targeting them at the earliest stage of development. Here's how they work: 

Barrier Formation: When applied to the soil, preemergents create a chemical barrier in the top layer of the soil. This barrier doesn't stop seeds from germinating but prevents the young weed seedlings from developing roots and shoots. 

Timing is Key: Generally, many common annual weeds—such as crabgrass—start to germinate when the soil temperature at a depth of about 2 to 3 inches reaches around 55°F (about 13°C). This temperature threshold is a good rule of thumb because it signals that the soil has warmed enough to break seed dormancy, prompting the seeds to sprout.  

Activation: After application, preemergents need to be watered in. This helps the product settle into the soil and activate its protective barrier. 

 

ferti•lome's For All Seasons II feeds your lawn and acts against any seed that may have wintered over in your grass. It's important to note that For All Seasons II, just like every pre-emergent act the same with all seeds, not just crabgrass and other weed seeds. If you're planning to over-seed your lawn this spring, you don't want to use For All Seasons II. Pre-emergents need to be applied before the ground temperatures get warm enough for seeds to start sprouting. Typically, this is before mid-April. When the Forsythia bushes begin blooming is another indicator it's time to apply pre-emergents. ferti•lome's For All Seasons II is part of The Flower Bin's 4-Step lawn care program. Buying the 4-step program qualifies for a 20% cost savings to you.  

Organic-based preemergents are also available, in the form of corn gluten. When you apply it to your lawn or garden, it forms a thin chemical barrier in the topsoil. This barrier interrupts the early stages of seed germination, preventing the young seedlings from establishing roots and growing.  

Preemergents are also available without fertilizer. Examples of these products include Hi-Yield Turf & Ornamental Weed and Grass Stopper, which can be used on established cool and warm season lawns.   

To treat flower gardens, rocky mulch and other landscape areas, use Hi-Yield Herbicide Granules.  

Know what you’re dealing with. Coarse fescue and other perennial broad leaf grasses are often mistakenly identified as crabgrass. Pre-emergents will not work on perennial grasses or weeds that spread through vegetative means. Control measures like post-emergent herbicides, manual removal, or cultural practices are required to effectively manage these weeds. If you’re uncertain, bring us a sample. We’ll identify it and help you determine the best solution to control it.