In March, gardeners typically emerge from their winter slumber, and many are thinking about getting seeds in dirt. But don’t get overly eager. It’s too early to start your tomato plants. Tomatoes, cucumbers, squash and watermelon; vine crops like these can wait until late April.
When the time does come, use a good germinating soil mix. Heat mats are an effective tool. Most seeds require temperatures of 65 to 75 degrees, which can be harder to maintain in Minnesota during winter. About 12 to 14 hours of light per day is important to the germinating process. A small, controllable broad-spectrum light can be beneficial. You can use some well-drained flats that allow any excess moisture to be wicked away from the soil.
Although it’s too early for vine plants, the time for growing sweet potatoes can start now – and it won’t require seed. Buy a few at the grocery store, cut them lengthwise and put the cut surface down in some good germination soil. In just a few weeks, you should see sprouts. When the sprouts are about two inches tall, cut them and plant them individually in pots. Along with being future food, sweet potatoes also make for very pretty plants; you can grow them in flowerpots and make them part of your arrangement.
If you want to learn more, the Annual Spring Garden Extravaganza is put on by the St. Louis County master gardeners and will take place on Saturday, March 21st at the Depot. Tom Kasper will be one of the guest speakers at the event.
You can hear Tips for Hardy Gardeners every other Tuesday at 8:20am on Northland Morning.
