If you're ready to start growing your food and want to start a spring garden this year, it’s time to start planning! Growing veggies successfully takes lots of practice and there are many factor to consider. Do you want to start by seed or direct sow in the ground? What kind of container are you planting in? What are you planting? It can all be overwhelming for seasoned and first time gardeners!
The first thing to understand is that Charleston has three main growing seasons. We can plant warm season veggies in spring, after the last frost, for a summer to fall harvest. Then, plant your cool season veggies in the fall for a winter harvest (thanks to our mild fall and winter). And finally, you can plant cool, leafy veggies again in late winter for a spring harvest. Planting in the dead of summer is difficult, so it's best to spend that time amending soil and prepping for fall planting.
Now that you understand the calendar, you have to decide if you're starting by seed or directly sowing into your beds. In Charleston, the last frost date is typically mid march so many gardeners start seeds indoors before March to get a jumpstart on the spring season. This is not required, but it’s beneficial! Seedlings have weeks to grow in a controlled environment away from cool early spring temps and rainy weather. So, if you are starting by seed... you need to start NOW! Check out Rita’s Roots seed starting guide and this planting calendar for more information on growing from seed and transplanting seedlings.
If you want to skip the seed step and start with veggie starts, figure out what you want to grow! Remember you can start cool weather leafy greens right now and harvest in the Spring! Or, make a plan for planting your warm season veggies after the last frost. We can't wait to stock up on Rita's Roots locally grown, organic vegetables.
Don't get overwhelmed by all the planning! Growing veggies takes dedication and you might make mistakes! Get prepared now and don't wait until the last minute to build garden beds and prep your soil. Sourcing or building containers, amending soil, and planning out your planting schedule takes time. Rest assured we will be stocked with veggie soil, compost, and fertilizer for your spring planting! Let's #GetPlanting!
Comments