Community Corner

Early Spring Has Gardeners Eager to Get Started

Follow these tips when it comes to vegetable gardening from Michigan State University Extension News.

The recent warm weather has many gardeners feeling like it's time to plant, but the cold snaps we've had remind us it's not quite time yet. Whether you are new to gardening or a veteran, this vegetable gardening tip sheet will help you be successful from planting to harvest.

According to Michigan State University Extension's gardening planning calendar, March and April is the time to prepare garden soil – when it is dry enough. April is for planting cool season vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, potatoes and peas. In May, after the danger of frost, is when you plant warm season vegetables such as cucumber, eggplant, tomatoes, melons and squash.

Check out these other vegetable gardening tips from MSU Extension:

Find out what's happening in Huntington Woods-Berkleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Plan Your Garden

Where to put your garden:

  • Convenient to your home and close to a water
  • Where the soil is good and free from toxins.
  • Sunny, level spot (six to eight hours of sunlight)
  • Stay away from trees and shrubs
  • Avoid north-facing slopes and low areas.

Build your garden soil:

Find out what's happening in Huntington Woods-Berkleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Add organic matter every year.
  • Test your soil for acidity (pH) and nutrients.
  • Use appropriate amount and type of fertilizer.
  • Prepare your garden soil for planting and avoid compacting it.

Plant your garden on paper:

  • Start small (20 feet x 10 feet) and expand with more experience.
  • Plant tall vegetables on the north side.
  • Give each plant the space it needs.
  • Draw a garden map and include:
    • Specific location of each vegetable crop
    • Spacing between plants and rows
    • Vegetables your family likes to eat
    • Planting dates.

Plant Your Garden

Plant your vegetable garden

  • Buy and plant seeds and transplants according to your plan.
  • Harden off your transplants.
  • Plant when the soil is warm enough for your vegetable crops.
  • Use mulch and maybe row covers.

Keep your plants growing

  • Thin plants to increase harvest.
  • Keep the garden weeded and manage pest problems.
  • Add nutrients in summer when needed.
  • Water when soil is dry.

Then, check your garden often and harvest vegetables at their peak flavor and nutrition level.

What kinds of vegetables to you like to grow at home? Do you belong to a neighborhood or co-op garden? Tell us in the comments and share your gardening photos, too.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Huntington Woods-Berkley