I confess, that February was cold enough that we didn’t think too much about what seeds to start yet. We were hunkered down during a rash of freezing temps and below-zero windchills.

Instead, I spent my time writing and doing research about planting where the garden will go.  Along with ordering seeds and plants from my favorite suppliers, we have been making arrangements to take out a couple of ash trees that are not only cutting out valuable sunlight in the front of the property but are additionally threatened by the emerald ash borer that is running rampant in our state.   Then there is the planning of where the raised beds are going to be and setting up for additional trellises and garden tunnels for vertical gardening.

I did start some basil seeds a couple of weeks ago and they are just now starting to peek out from the Click and Grow that my beloved spouse gifted to me on my birthday last year.  I love that I can have fresh herbs like basil all year long. It’s a neat little system but by no means necessary for everyone.

 Gearing up for Spring

For me, one of the best things about wintertime is the scores of full-color catalogs that come in the mail at this time.  The promise of rich, ripe fruits and vegetables, herbs, berries, flowers, and all manner of plants dares us to hope to mirror those images in our own gardens and growing spaces.   Our homestead is in Eastern Iowa, so that puts us in Zone 5a.  If you are unsure what your growing zone is, the USDA’s Hardiness Zone Map is freely available online.  Just enter your zip code and it will not only give you what hardiness zone you are in, but also videos on soil health, and gardening.  For readers in the United Kingdom, Plantmaps.com also has an online hardiness zone guide.

Vegetables

So….what can we plant indoors right now? Here is a list of plants in our area that can be planted now and put into the garden after the last frost.  Whether you grow your seedlings in a sunny window or under a growing lamp, I find it’s always exciting to see the first signs of life peeking out of the soil. Vegetables that are great to start indoors at this time include:

• Tomatoes
• Peppers (bell peppers, hot peppers)
• Eggplant
• Cabbage
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Kale
• Swiss Chard
• Brussels Sprouts
• Lettuce (various varieties) – Gardeners tend to debate this one. Lettuce germinates fairly quickly and from what I understand, it doesn’t transplant that well.  If you delay planting lettuce, you still aren’t likely to miss out.
• Spinach – Spinach is a bit slower than lettuce, so cold weather planting isn’t a bad idea.
• Arugula
• Radishes
• Beets
• Carrots
• Onions (bulbing or green onions)
• Leeks
• Celery
• Cucumbers
• Zucchini
• Squash (summer and winter varieties)  – I just started my butternut squash seeds a week ago.  I first soaked them overnight in water. After draining off the water, I placed the seeds inside a dampened and folded paper towel and placed that inside a ziplock bag to seal in the moisture. This is the first time trying this method, but I will be planting these in raised beds with a trellis. I won’t put them out until they have been hardened off after the last frost.
• Pumpkins
• Melons (cantaloupe, watermelon)
• Collard Greens
• Mustard Greens
• Turnips
• Kohlrabi
• Peas
• Green Beans
• Radicchio
• Endive
• Asparagus (start from crowns)
• Artichoke

Herbs

As an herbalist, planting herb seeds is at the top of my list. My first seeds of the season were, as I mentioned, sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) that I put in the hydroponic system. After a long, cold winter there are few things more exciting than seeing those seeds just start to peek out! These babies are just 10 days old from when I planted them. Of course, wait till a couple weeks after the first frost to transplant into the ground. I will wait till they are at least six inches tall before harvesting leaves.

Other herbs that can be planted in March include:

• Cilantro (Coriander) – This particular plant likes things on the cooler side.
• Dill
• Parsley
• Chives
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Sage
• Rosemary
• Mint
• Lavender – Starting lavender in early March is ideal. This plant needs the extra time to establish itself. So get it started ASAP.
• Lemon Balm
• Tarragon
• Fennel
• Marjoram
• Catnip
• Chamomile
• Stevia
• Winter Savory
• Lemon Verbena

Starting these herbs indoors in March will give them ample time to establish strong roots before you transplant them outdoors. When you do depends entirely on when the last frost date in your region happens to be.  Be sure to follow the care instructions, usually included on the back of the seed packet for each variety you grow.

March is also a great time to begin garden cleanup to prepare for planting.  Clear away the debris from the following growing season a as leaves, fallen branches, and things that will get in the way. Prune your roses as well as shrubs and trees.

Clean up your garden beds by removing all weeds, debris, and roots from the previous year and composting them. Break up the soil to make it easier for the new plants to grow and add compost where needed. Now would also be a great time to send a soil sample to your county or state extension office for testing.  Here in Iowa,  because we are an agricultural state, Iowa State University provides such a service.  Also, they host Horticulture every Friday morning year-round on NPR.

If you have water features, clean those up, but don’t necessarily engage fountains, etc.  If you have birdhouses, feeders, etc. clean away old nests and debris so that new ones can come in and build their own nests.  If you haven’t pulled in your hummingbird feeders, wash and clean them thoroughly so that there is no chance of bacteria contaminating the nectar that you will be putting out this year.  When you are ready, my previous post on hummingbirds includes a recipe for nectar that both they and orioles are sure to love.

If I have left anything out that you can think of, be sure to let me know in the comments. Happy gardening!

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