When’s the best time to put plants in the ground?
The best time to plant trees, flowers, or any plant is during the dormant season. In North America, this is usually late fall through early spring. While it’s okay to plant during the rest of the year, it will require more maintenance from you in the form of watering, fertilizers, etc. October is the month of first frosts, falling leaves and dazzling colours. But it’s also a great time to prune popular garden plants to ensure your outdoor space thrives throughout the seasonal changes and into spring.Depending on your USDA hardiness zone, October is an ideal time to plant cool-season vegetable seedlings that you can often harvest throughout the winter into early spring. For a successful harvest, always begin with viable seeds or healthy transplants.Trees and shrubs can be planted through October, whereas perennials should be planted by the first part of October to give them enough time to establish their roots before hitting freezing temperatures.
Can you put seeds directly in soil?
Another option is to tuck seeds directly into soil outdoors. Planting seeds this way is called direct sowing, and it is an easy process that yields great results. Direct sowing The vast majority of vegetables are grown by sowing the seed directly into the soil where they are to grow. To do this you make a shallow trench (called a drill) with a bamboo cane, hand trowel or corner of a hoe. Sow the seed directly into the drill and coverwith soil that you have lightly firmed down.Another option is to tuck seeds directly into soil outdoors. Planting seeds this way is called direct sowing, and it is an easy process that yields great results.Direct sowing is the method of planting the seeds directly into outdoor garden soil. There is no special equipment, and there are no little pots and flats to mess with. You don’t have to worry about transplanting (and the related risk of transplant shock) or hardening off your plants.Seeds can be sown directly in drills (rows) or broadcast (scattered over the soil surface). Sowing in drills makes it easier to distinguish your seedlings from weed seedlings, and is suitable for seeds that need to be sown deeper than a few millimetres.Seeds can be sown directly in drills (rows) or broadcast (scattered over the soil surface). Sowing in drills makes it easier to distinguish your seedlings from weed seedlings, and is suitable for seeds that need to be sown deeper than a few millimetres.
What is best to put on soil before planting?
Whether your soil is light and sandy or heavy clay, digging in bulky organic matter – which means well-rotted manure, compost, leafmould, composted bark, mushroom compost or anything in fact that you can get in bulk – will help. Add Organic Matter Compost (or aged manure) adds nutrients, improves drainage, and loosens compacted soil so roots get the oxygen they need. According to Cornell University: For new garden beds, mix 2 to 3 inches of compost into the top 6 to 8 inches of soil.Start by incorporating well-decomposed compost, a nutrient-rich organic matter that enhances soil structure and fertility. Worm castings, with their concentrated nutrients, boost plant growth and improve soil aeration.You can sprinkle compost on top or mix it into your flower and vegetable beds, gently rake compost into tree beds, blend it with potting soil to revitalize indoor plants, or spread it on top of the soil on your lawn as a soil amendment.Add Compost to Your Garden Beds My number one go to choice always. Compost has the important nutrients plants need, great soil building properties, microorganisms to improve and mediate undesirable soil, and you make it for free.
Should I soak soil before planting?
Taking time to water garden soil makes a difference. If you’re planning to put in new plantings, be sure to water garden soil first. Of course, if you’ve had rain, your soil may already be sufficiently moist. Or, if you have an irrigation system, you may not need to water garden soil again before planting. It is better to water the garden before drought really sets in, to keep the soil moisture levels even and avoid the soil being continuously dry. But, equally important, the soil doesn’t have to be really wet all the time because plants roots need air as well as water to grow well.Answer: Early morning (5:00 to 9:00 am) is the best time to water the garden when using a sprinkler, garden hose, or any other device that wets the plant foliage. When watering is completed, the plant foliage dries quickly. The rapid drying of plant foliage helps guard against the development of fungal diseases.If you’re planning to put in new plantings, be sure to water garden soil first. Of course, if you’ve had rain, your soil may already be sufficiently moist. Or, if you have an irrigation system, you may not need to water garden soil again before planting.