We want to help you have the best yard and garden possible. This month, we have springtime planting and prep tips from the Coastal garden department along with information from Oregon State University and Washington State University.
Consult the Experts Before Planting Anything Outside
If you started seedlings back in January, now could be the right time to bring them outside. In addition, you may want to plant warm-season crops, including cantaloupe, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, tomatoes, watermelon, and peppers. Check out the planting guide from Oregon State University for regional advice. If you live in Washington, see pages 11 and 12 of the Washington State University Extension’s Home Vegetable Gardening Guide.
Build Raised Beds
Do you have limited space or hard-to-work-with soil? A raised bed can help minimize water use and keep your vegetables and other starts away from vermin.
Use Diatomaceous Earth in Your Garden
To help protect your starts from bugs, slugs, snails, and critters, add some Diatomaceous earth around the base of your starts and seedlings.
Fertilize Your Blueberries
Add a slow-release nitrogen-rich fertilizer to your blueberries, azaleas and rhododendrons. Used coffee grounds are a wonderful source of nitrogen for blueberry bushes as well as other acidic-loving plants. Simply sprinkle four or five cups of grounds beneath each blueberry bush and rake into the top layer of soil.
Plan Your Watering:
Some regions are still experiencing drought. Careful planning can help ensure you have enough water to cover everything you plant and plan to harvest. Sprinklers, drip systems, soaker hoses, and hand watering all work great. Just be consistent with each plant’s watering needs, watering deeply and less often.
Find Beauty and Bounty in the Gardening Department
Coastal has what you need for your garden, including seeds and starts, tools, hoses, fertilizer, diatomaceous earth, as well as experts who know what grows best in your region. Stop by today and go home with everything you need for the best garden ever.