Vegetable Garden Update February 2016: It's Time to Plant!

Winter is winding down and spring is in the air. Have you noticed all of the robins visiting your backyards? How about the bluebirds scouting out the local birdhouses? The days are noticeably longer and spring is here in my humble opinion. That means planting!

In all of the years I've lived in Tennessee I go with my gut on when to plant my vegetables. I am always good with early spring plantings but never good with fall plantings. I shall work on that this summer but for now my gut is telling me it's time to plant! That is just what my wonderful (now a gardening husband) husband and I did this week. Lowes has its spring vegetable starts in the stores and it was a good time for us so we jumped on it. Above Mr. Fix-it planted: red lettuce, 'Buttercrunch' lettuce, baby broccoli, and spinach. The rest of the bed is also planted with: potatoes (four types), and onions (three types). We are very excited to harvest a bunch of vegetables this year.

This bed still has Brussels sprouts growing in it. Since the weather has warmed up new growth has appeared and we are excited about these. Brussels sprouts is a vegetable I will always grow. The cabbage and cauliflower that were also planted here succumbed to the cold and the snow.

The newly planted bed with its potatoes, onions, and starts. This bed held tomatoes and peppers last summer. After these crops are harvested we'll plant sweet corn here. With only four beds it is fairly easy for me to establish a rotation plan for the garden. I do not follow with the same type of crops in any bed.



The herb garden is doing well. So far my rosemary is happy! I've never been able to winter over a rosemary plant in the garden but this year I've had success. It must be because the bed is raised.  Sage and thyme are also still showing some green. Pansies are there for added color. Pansies will usually winter over in Tennessee gardens and come back strong in the spring.

I came across some neat seed packet holders while I was visiting my daughter in Florida. I had never seen or used these packet holders before but I love them. They are fairly inexpensive and very easy to use. I do think with extended sun exposure the plastic will get brittle and break, but that will hopefully be a year or two down the road. Right now they make it ever so easy to label each crop.

And they are really attractive. Even my grandchildren will be able to clearly see what is growing where....

in the garden....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden