Gardening season just around the corner, almost time to plant

Although the COVID-19 pandemic is in full swing, planting a victory garden may be a little overboard. However, a local horticulturist says now is the time to begin thinking about planting and it can all start in the house.

When it comes to vegetables there are two classes, according to Patrick O'Malley with the Iowa State Extension Office. The first is cool season vegetables which are things like onions, carrots and lettuce.

'We're just about to the point where you can plant those,” he said.

O'Malley said for a successful crop, the soil temperature at three-inches deep should be at about 50 degrees. Currently, soil temps are only at about 40 degrees.

'In another week or 10 days you can start planting the cool season vegetables,” he said.

The other class of vegetables are warm season which include things like tomatoes, eggplant and melons. The soil temperatures need to be at least 60 degrees for successful growth, he said.

'Most of those you can plant in spring to late spring,” he said.

Some crops, like radishes and carrots grow quickly and can be planted twice, he said. Once in the spring to be harvested in summer and again in summer to be harvested in late fall.

For those unable to make it outside and since the weather is not yet optimal for digging around, O'Malley said most plants can be started in the house. Cool season crops do not transfer well and because they have roots need to be planted in the ground. Warm season plants will do well and are where he suggests people begin.

'If you have lights or a nice south exposed window seeds will start well inside,” he said. 'They would like temperatures about 80 degrees during the day and 65 degrees at night, but it doesn't have to be that high and it will still grow.”

Because warm season crops have a short growing time, beginning them inside is essential.

'As far as starting the seeds yourself, you can still grow things like tomatoes inside and have them big enough to plant by the first or second week of May,” he said.

It may be too late to begin growing eggplants or peppers to put in the ground immediately, he said. However, they can still be started but will not be ready for transplant until late May.

For those who have missed the mark to plant seeds, transplants are a great alternative. Many garden centers have them available, he said, and they will do just as well as others.

'The idea is to take advantage of the growing season as much as possible,” he said of why beginning crops as seeds first is always recommended.

Whether beginning the plants as seeds or as transplants, one important step he encourages people not to skimp on is the soil. A seed starting mix is best, he said because it will provide all the nutrients the plant needs that cannot be found in traditional topsoil.

'That way you've got soil that's been sterilized so you don't get any of the seedling diseases,” he said.

When it comes time to take them outside, O'Malley suggests tilling the land first and if time, warm up the soil. Placing black garbage bags over the soil four or five days before planting will attract the sun and heat the soil, encouraging the plant to grow faster.

Sunlight also will come back into play once the plants are in the ground. That last step is one of the most important ones people can take to ensure healthy, productive plants he said.

At least eight to 10 hours of sunlight a day is preferred, but not required. They can grow with less, he said, but not as quickly.

'You can grow vegetables in an area that has five or six hours of sun but they won't produce as well,” he said.