- 1). Start spring gardens as soon as the ground dries in spring. For most of northwest Washington, this will occur in mid-March to early April, two to three weeks before the last frost dates, which occur in mid-April. Test your soil before you start your plantings; pick up a handful and squeeze it to see whether it sticks together or falls apart. Soil that falls apart is ready for planting.
- 2). Plant your veggies in your established garden, or start a new garden in a spot that will give the plants eight hours of full sun every day and quick drainage. Make sure that any new site gives you 10 to 20 square feet of planting, to avoid crowding.
- 3). Amend the soil in new and old gardens alike, as each new crop should start with fully prepared soil. Dig up the top 6 to 10 inches of soil and break any dirt clods. Add 2 inches of quick-draining soil and 2 inches of organic compost to ensure drainage and deep, rich nutrition for the new vegetable plants. Add fertilizer of any variety to the top 2 inches of soil.
- 4). Plant early spring veggies like asparagus, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, rhubarb and spinach immediately. These are hardy vegetables that do best with a cool-season start and can withstand frosts. They should be in the ground by March 10.
- 5). Plant mid-spring veggies like beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chard, kohlrabi, parsnips, early potatoes and turnips one week later. These are relatively hardy vegetables that will withstand light frost and should go into the outdoor garden before the last frost date. Plant these by March 15 or 20.
- 6). Plant late-spring veggies like beans, Brussels sprouts, corn, cucumbers, eggplants, muskmelons, peppers, pumpkins, squash, tomatoes and watermelons only after the last frost. These vegetables are sensitive to frost and die if they go into the garden when temperatures are under 60 degrees F.
- 7). Mulch the entire garden with 2 to 3 inches of organic mulch to keep the soil moist and warm, and to discourage pests and weeds. This mulch will break down over time, so replenish with new mulch once a month.
- 8). Water the garden with 1 to 2 inches of water every week and fertilize again mid-season on individual vegetable time lines.
- 9). Plant root crops again in mid-summer for a fall vegetable harvest. Plant carrots, beets, radishes, turnips, onions, rutabagas, chard, kohlrabi, lettuce and spinach at this time.
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