It's that time of year again! The days are getting longer, the days & nights are warmer... Spring is indeed coming! Are you ready?
This is the perfect time for people in and around the Denver area to start their vegetable and flower seeds indoors. Hold off for a couple more weeks for the melon and gourd seeds. Usually the first two weeks of April are the most suitable for starting those indoors. I started my tomatoes, peppers, and onions a couple weeks ago, and they are now about 2"-3" tall and seem to be enjoying their place in the sunny, south-facing window that is serving as their nursery for the time being.
Most people tend to use Mother's Day weekend as the time to do the outdoor planting in the Colorado Front Range area. They are correct in their thinking, as the last frost has usually occurred by then. For most people in Zone 5, this is true.
The USDA has created a Hardiness Zone map to assist gardeners in determining which plants are suitable for their climate and the best time for planting.
Now that you know your "Zone" you can read the back of any seed package to see if it is suitable for your area. Most people may not think much of it until they have failed plantings. Plants are much more sensitive to even the smallest changes in weather conditions than we can imagine. Believe me, I learned the importance of knowing the "Zones" the hard way!
Another thing to consider when starting your seeds indoors is the quality of the potting soil being used. In my experience, I have had alot of success using "seed starter" soil mixes. These are rich in organic material and hold moisture well. You want a strong, healthy plant when you transplant it to the outdoors.
I will write more on gardening in a future entry. Have a great week and get those seeds started!
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