Spring has arrived, and with it plenty of room for new growth. The time to plant is fast approaching, be it for vegetables, herbs, or flowers. Here you will find a number of tips to assist you in any planting endeavors for the Lake of the Ozarks region. As is the case these days, you can certainly find much more comprehensive assistance elsewhere on the internet. But our goal here is to simply pique your interest and offer a bit of help on your way. We will provide a few links at the end that you may find helpful.
Be it veggie, herb, or flower, you must wait for the final freeze to pass. Historically, the final freeze in Missouri has been anywhere from April 1 to May 1. The Farmer’s Almanac predicts the final freeze to be on April 10 this year, but that has a 50% accuracy warning. Planting is supposed to begin nearly a week after that date, so April 17 is predicted to be the ideal date.
In any case, you can always begin plant pots in your home!
Indoor planting has a whole set of rules on its own, though it can be quite simple. Some good soil, a stable temperature, sunlight, and plenty of water are all it usually takes. If you wish to try your hand at something new, be sure to refer to the seed packet for a full list of suggestions on best growing practices. Be sure you give the seeds plenty of room to grow as well, otherwise they are not likely to survive the close quarters or the replanting.
Common crops such as corn and tomatoes are planted at this time. Less common seeds, such as broccoli or beets, are also a good idea. Herbs, too, are to be planted. Basil, oregano, thyme, and sage all stand a good chance of planting this time of year.
The sheer variety of flowers can be overwhelming. We recommend finding your favorite assortments and following the instructions on their seed packets. Begonias, lily varieties, dahlias, and many other bulbs ought to be planted at this time. With so many options, you should be able to find a few you can easily manage.
Once you have sorted out what you want your garden to be, you should consider what kind of garden you want. No, we don’t mean veggie or flower; that ought to have been decided when you picked your seeds! If you’re feeling ambitious, feel free to pursue both! What we’re talking about is the plot. A raised bed? Planters? Normal beds? A bit of research may be needed here, as some of these can require a good deal of preparation. Raised beds, in particular, do require a bit more work on your part. The results, however, speak for themselves.
Once that’s decided, you need dirt. Lots and lots of good, healthy dirt. Fertilizer is helpful, though if you’re going the organic route be prepared for some unpleasant smells. Be sure you have the weeds cleared and the soil aerated. Spreading some form of pest control is also highly recommended. Missouri is home to a large number of plant-destroying pests. Additionally, the rocky ground can make for some aggravating cultivation. It’s at this point you’ll likely begin to see the pros and cons of your bed choice.
If you have prepped some seedlings in your home, make sure you have prepared the ground for an easy transition. If you are just starting from seeds, be sure to follow the recommended depth for planting, otherwise your seeds may fail to sprout! If all goes well, you will be seeing some sprouts in anywhere from a few days to just over a week.
After that, it’s simply a matter of removing weeds, keeping it watered, and keeping the pests away. The pests can surprise you, as they are not limited to insects. Snails can cause much havoc, as well as a number of rodents. Rabbits and squirrels are particularly voracious, though you may notice a turtle or two munching on some of your produce. They’re quite fond of cucumbers and strawberries. One pest most people tend to forget about are deer. If you live in a wooded area, a light fence with some orange tape tied to it should ward off the worst offenders.
Any seasoned gardener will likely know much of this by rote, but then again, we assume any seasoned gardener won’t have need of our tips! ;) Hopefully you learned something from us, and we hope your efforts at gaining a green thumb go well. Have a happy Spring!
Farmer’s Almanac: https://www.almanac.com/gardening
Urban Farmer Learning: https://www.ufseeds.com/learning/
Lake Area Master Gardener’s Resource Page: http://extension.missouri.edu/camden/mastergardeners.aspx
