Early Spring Gardens by Stephanie Suesan Smith, Ph.D.
The first week of February is time to plant early vegetables in Hunt County. Even with all the weird weather we have had this year, you should give it a try.
First, be sure and prepare your bed to receive the seeds and plants it is about to cradle. Till it to a depth of twelve inches either mechanically or by hand. Spread three inches of compost on the tilled area and mix it in with the soil well. The compost not only fertilizes your land, it helps with drainage and to keep soil from becoming compacted.
Most of the root crops are planted from seed. The seed packet will tell you how deep to bury them so they germinate best. Gardeners in this area usually plant turnips, beets, radishes, and carrots for their early garden. The more adventurous also plant rutabaga and parsnip.
Other vegetables planted from seed this time of the year are sugar snap peas, English peas, Swiss chard, and rhubarb, kale, lettuce, and other greens.
Transplants include most of the familiar cole crops, including cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower. Brussels sprouts do better in the fall garden as it gets too hot for them too soon to make much of a harvest in the spring.
Be sure and mix frost tolerant flowering plants in and around your yard. These attract bees and other pollinators to your vegetable garden and make sure your plants get pollinated. It is very frustrating to have beautiful foliage and not a vegetable in sight because of poor pollination.
Although we have had several recent rains, it is necessary to water in both seeds and transplants. They will need to be kept moist but not soggy so if Mother Nature doesn’t supply enough rain, you will have to step in and water them.
This year the Hunt County Fair is earlier in the year than usual. The horticulture competition is on April 30th. You deliver your vegetables and other items from 4pm to 6pm and judging begins at 6:30. It only costs $2 an entry, so please enter your vegetables and support the horticulture competition this year. Master Gardeners will be the judges and it will be a lot of fun. Hope to see you there.