Garden Expert on Spring Planting: ‘Not So Fast’
The sunshine outside may make it seem like an early spring, but for gardeners, it’s not time to start planting quite yet.
Donna Atallian tends to the plants at Lynde Greenhouse in Maple Grove. She said everyone she’s spoken to is eager to get started in their garden.
“I highly recommend people to wait,” Atallian said. “Just go take a walk, do cleaning in your garage. The reason is plants will not be tolerant of the weather when they do get cold. Minnesota fluctuates from one week to the next, from one day to the next.”
Donna Atallian of Lynde Greenhouse said many people she’s talked to are excited to start planting for the season.
Though it can be exciting to see 60 degree temperatures in February, Atallian recommends waiting until the normal time to plant.
However, pansies, a more resilient plant than most, will be ready to plant in a few weeks.
She says it is typically best to plant root crops on Good Friday. Other plants can go in the ground two weeks later. As for most other maintenance, Atallian said it’s also important to leave protective coverings alone.
“Don’t go out there and remove all the leaves or the mulch,” she said. “Leave that there — we need that still for a good month or so at least.”
If you would like to tend to your garden in some way, there are still some things that can be done.
Atallian said you can prune some fruit trees and use deer and rabbit repellant on your plants. She also said you can take care of dog patches by laying down lime and grass seed.
“Wherever the dog was, you are going to neutralize the soil with the lime so the grass seed will grow and germinate,” Atallian explained.
Above all, Atallian just advises enjoying the outdoors outside of the garden.
Lynde Greenhouse isn’t open yet for the season. Customers can come in and shop beginning March 18.
