March 27, 2006

One of the most enjoyable responsibilities of my occupation is sharing 

my expertise with new gardeners. As the new gardening season begins the 

customers have lots of questions on how to prepare the soil, what 

plants 

to select and how to plant them. Some just want their lawn to look 

better while others would like to start a vegetable garden to enjoy 

fresh produce.

A vegetable garden can be as simple as a few large containers on the 

deck or a more ambitious project that occupies a large portion of the 

yard. Knowing when and how to plant certain vegetables is important for 

the garden to be a success. Many new gardeners are surprised by how 

early some plants are put out into the garden, assuming that since it 

is 

still cold it’s too soon to plant. But lettuce, spinach, arugula, peas, 

broccoli and cabbage all produce best at cool temperatures before the 

high heat of summer. All of these can be planted now.

Potatoes, asparagus, onions, rhubarb and strawberries are also planted 

in early spring. Each of these has a particular method of planting. 

Onions can be started by seed, sets or seedlings. Seed takes the 

longest, often reaching only the size of scallions. Sets are small 

bulbs 

that can be planted two inches deep and 2-4 inches apart. Once they 

grow 

to scallion size they should be thinned to at least 4 inches apart. Use 

these thinnings as you would scallions. The seedlings are planted 

similarly. Harvest time is during the summer after tops start to brown.

Seed potatoes are available now at the garden center for planting in 

April. These look just like the potatoes found in the grocery store but 

are actually specifically for planting. They need to be certified virus 

free. Potatoes are susceptible to virus diseases, resulting in poor 

crops. The seed potatoes are first cut into pieces for planting. Each 

piece should have at least two eyes. Set the pieces on a tray to cure 

for 24 hours prior to planting. The pieces can be planted 3-4 inches 

deep and a 12 inches apart, leaving 24 inches between rows. As the 

foliage grows rake up more soil around the base of the plants to keep 

the tubers covered (hilling up). Harvest will be sometime in the summer 

depending on the variety.

Asparagus and rhubarb are the only two perennial plants of the 

vegetable 

garden. Preparing the soil is important since these crops will be there 

for many years. Each asparagus plant needs 12-18 inches of row space. 

The bed should be at least 4 feet from another crop. It’s a good plant 

for the back of the garden. Select a male variety such as Jersey King 

or 

Jersey Giant for better quality spears. Start by digging a trench 8-10 

inches deep and 12 inches wide. Add some 5-10-10 fertilizer, a little 

lime and some compost to the trench. Mound the soil in the trench 

slightly. Asparagus plants, sold as one year old crowns, are planted on 

the mound spreading out the long roots. Cover the crowns and roots with 

2-3 inches of soil. Gradually fill in the trench as the foliage grows 

through the season. Asparagus is not harvested the first year. The 

second season harvest sparingly, more in the years thereafter.

Soil preparation for rhubarb involves loosening the soil in the 

planting 

area and adding a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10. Roots are set 

in 

the soil with the crown even at ground level. The stalks can be 

harvested after the second season. The leaves should never be eaten as 

they are toxic.

Strawberries are also sold as small plants or crowns. Plant the roots 

straight down, taking care that the crown is even with ground level. 

Allow 10-12 inches between plants. Fertilize sparingly, but use straw 

mulch to discourage weeds. It is recommended that flowers be removed 

the 

first year and harvesting begins in the second season.

Delaying harvest of these crops to the second or third season allows 

the 

plants to grow strong root systems and produce quality harvests for 

many 

years to come.

Beth Nardone, botanist, is a resident of Hillsborough and is the 

Nursery 

Manager at the Belle Mead Co-Op. Questions and comments can be sent to 

bethtanical@patmedia.net <mailto:bethtanical@patmedia.net>