20 years ago, this dream started out as a road-side stand at this same location. A lot has changed since then. Take a look at how we’ve grown.
Tips for Early Spring Planting
Spring is one of our favorite times of year at the Market! Our greenhouse is quickly filling up, and we’re beyond ready for gardening. If you’re feeling the same way, here are some tips on early spring garden preparation and when you can start planting.
1. Plant Sturdy Flowers in Early Spring
Most plants can’t handle the spring weather in the mountains of North Carolina; we humans don’t even like it! However, there are a few plants with a hearty system that can be planted in early spring and won’t be bothered by the frost. Some of our favorite examples:
Hellebores plants have a unique and beautiful flower, and are a perennial that prefer partial shade.
Phlox is another hearty flowering perennial that comes in a variety of colors. This plant prefers full sun, grows best in well drained areas and makes a beautiful ground cover.
2. Prep Your Soil
So much of the health of your vegetables and flower beds depend on the food and nutrients your plants get. Think about your garden just like you do your family. They need food and water to grow healthy and strong! Getting your soil tested will help you figure out if there are any important minerals lacking that your plants need. Mixing in fertilizer or compost before you plant is a quick addition that is always a good idea.
3. Start Vegetables From Seeds
Vegetables can either be grown from seed or seedling. Depending on the vegetable, some seeds will need to be started in early spring but cannot grow outside in the cold weather. So, early spring is the perfect time to start growing your “warm weather” vegetable seeds in a pot inside your home. Once you get a little seedling and the weather has warmed up, you can transplant your vegetables out in the garden bed.
For the rest of your planting, we always advise that you wait until after Mother’s Day. Here in the mountains of NC, you can plant when the top of Mount Jefferson turns green. If anything gets planted too early and a frost hits, it will “burn” the leaves and kill the plant. If you don’t live in zone 6, you can look up the USDA’s Plant Hardiness Zone map to see what is advised for you.
Starting a garden for the first time this year? Here’s some of our best advice for getting started and planning it out early!
Wishing you the best of luck and look out for more gardening tips coming soon!
