February warnings for gardeners – the DON’Ts

The late February weather is always terrible – and gardeners are always (whether they admit it or not) tending towards seasonal affective disorder (that’s why they spend a fortune to go to the Flower Show).  The seed catalogs arrived and the planting juices started to flow so you cannot resist.  The comments below reflect many of the mistakes I have made over the years and hope you do not.

First; recognize that in most cases it is too early.  Sure, greens and cold weather crops can and probably should be started in stages if you can keep an eye on them.  I prefer keeping the nutrients at a minimum so the young shoots do not get too spindly even on greens. But realize that warm weather vegetables need degree days of sunlight that are almost impossible to replicate without spending a fortune.

Second PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR TRAYS as often as you can.  Plant ‘em and leave ‘em is a recipe for disaster with early seeding since so many things can go wrong.

Number three:  Try to avoid artificial heating or over heating unless you will have nonstop vigilance.  Putting trays on radiators is a really bad idea – they will dehydrate almost every time.  Using heat tapes intended for pipes is both expensive and spotty, and purchasing heating pads intended for greenhouse is probably the most expensive thing you can do (I bought one and the electricity went out the next week).  Above all, do not try to use an old electric blanket or human heating pad for your seedlings.  If you do, check your fire insurance first.

Number four, if you began your mission indoors, consider building a cold frame against the sunny side of your house.  There is a lot of tradition (and guides) to cold frames, and my grandmother showed us all that if you pay attention you can get a great and proper early start.

Beware of temperature extremes.  Very cold nighttime lows and bursts of warm days are a threat to your tender shoots. Covering, including garden cloth can help both.  If you build a cold frame, be prepared to prop it open as the sun gets stronger. (and wall ‘o water costs too much)

Six….move your plants a lot.  As the sun gets higher in the sky it will be more intense and you should pay attention. The cold weather crops will suffer if they get too hot.

Finallly, pay attention to soil temperature when you plant….just because the daytime high temperatures are in the sixties does not mean that the subsoil is ready.  Yes…you can sacrifice a household thermometer to do the test.  Each crop has its own minimum required temp to avoid stunting. Oh, and don’t forget that the deer, unless checked, will love your new additions to their diets.

I have to confess, that the rushing of planting (before St Patrick’s Day) is all but out of my chore list.  I have a few greens, and I will always cheat on peas, but generally I believe that the degree days of April more than catch up to early planting so you should wait.  But I know you won’t.