Welcome back to Can You Dig It?, the original farming and planting guide to help you avoid the sad look on your face as you watch all your hard work fade into oblivion. With summer around the corner, spring is that brief moment where you lay the foundation for the rest of your summer, so it
is important NOT to squander your time by making simple mistakes. Here are 7 that I try to avoid like the plague in order to retain some semblance of success for harvesting in a few weeks/months:
Planting Too Early: Be patient and wait for the last frost date (usually around mid-April in Zone 6) before planting most tender plants. While that early spring sunshine is amazing, it’s those nighttime temperatures that will have you waking up feeling crushed as that plant you left outside slowly freezes and is destroyed when that temperature drops to 39°.
Overwatering: Allow the top inch or so of soil to dry out before watering, as overwatering can lead to root rot and other problems. In fact, you should be using a spray bottle for seedlings. Anything more can be a problem.
Planting in Insufficient Sunlight:
Choose a location that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily, especially for sun-loving plants like tomatoes and peppers. Supplemental lights may be needed to meet this threshold if your indoor lighting is insufficient. Use timers, and don’t reinvent the natural cycle of plants by leaving the lights on 24 hours a day.
Forgetting to Water: Keep newly planted seeds and seedlings consistently moist, especially during dry spells.
Neglecting Soil Preparation: Amend your soil with compost or other organic matter to improve drainage, fertility, and water retention. Your growing medium is so important at various stages in the growing process, yet this is often overlooked. I found out the hard way many, many times!
Ignoring Plant Spacing: Ensure adequate space between plants to allow for proper growth and air circulation, which can help prevent disease.
Not Protecting Against Pests and Diseases: Monitor your plants regularly for pests and diseases and take preventative measures or address problems promptly.
Thank you for your time, and, as always, for any farm or gardening questions, please reach out to canyoudigit413@gmail.com ■