Spring is Here -- Sort Of

It's time to get out there and begin getting to know your garden again. But don't forget to wear a scarf and hat and gloves. It's a little chilly.

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With plant and tree deliveries arriving steadily, it’s time to get out there and begin getting to know your garden again. But don’t forget to wear a scarf and hat and gloves. It’s a little chilly. But you know March—blowy, snowy and 60-degree sunny days.

Trees

Fruit trees are in as well as shade trees. These are ready to go. Over the next three weeks we’re anticipating five semis of shrubs and more trees, including large and dwarf conifers. For help with deciding which tree is best for your particular site, talk with anyone on the Nursery staff.

Perennials

The perennial house, under the tent, is now stocked, organized and signed for finding your favorite plants.

Planting trees and perennials when the weather is cool helps establish root systems before those hot, rain free days of summer begin taking their toll.

Seeds

Don’t forget about that vegetable garden. Our seed racks have everything your vegetable patch could possible want. Later we’ll have vegetable starts in the greenhouse, but why not get a few seedlings going now? Growing your own food is becoming quite the rage. Homegrown tastes better than store bought and growing your own (in containers is a great way to go), it helps with the “buy locally—slow food” movement that’s happening.

For growing tomatoes seeds writer Susan Tweit, author of The Rocky Mountain Garden Survival Guide suggests the following: I use a heat mat for my tomato and basil starts here in high-country southern Colorado. The biggest benefit with heat mats is that the plants develop a much better root system, and that means they get a better start and are more productive and healthier when they go into the ground.

For growing eggplant; sow 1/4 inch; germination time is 5-10 days reached transplant size 8-10 weeks; transplant to garden 2 to 3 weeks after last spring frost. Days to maturity: 62-90 days.

For growing snap beans; sow 1 inch; germinates 6-12 days; transplant in3-4 weeks or after last spring frost. Days to maturity: 50-60 days

For growing kale; sow 1/2 inch; germinates 4-14 days; transplant after 6-8 weeks 2 weeks after last spring frost. Days to maturity: 50-65 days.

As March comes in like a lamb or a lion (depending on how you perceive these animals), the chill in the air is all the more reason to push things to get that warm weather we all deserve about now.