It’s raining. Again. No one can control the weather and even though sometimes it can’t be predicted accurately, today they got it right. The rain is good, don’t get me wrong but I really want to plant some vegetable plants and seeds in the raised bed garden. I’m not late in planting at all, just not as early as I want to be. The spinach, radishes and lettuce are all coming up great but my pre-started seeds are growing like crazy. The tomatoes are getting tall and are screaming for a home of their own while the peppers are more than ready to stretch their feet into some good garden dirt. I’m tempted to get outside during break in the rain and stick some seeds in the garden like cucumbers, squash and beans but I have some prep work to do first. I’m going to grow the cucumbers along a trellis made from leftover fencing material and I need to build the support system first. A strong support system is always important!
I have a spot ready to go for the beans but need to add one more row. I’m using more of the ‘Nash’ bush beans this year that I used last year. It’s a good idea to use a technique called succession when planting bush beans. They tend to produce strong and fast then back off as the season progresses. By planting in succession I can be assured of a steady crop through the season. I’ll also be growing some pole beans among the corn to utilize the stalks as poles.
I’ll also be doing succession planting with the squash to help avoid my most dispised garden pest, the dreaded squash vine borer! I’ll plant a new squash plant about every two weeks that way when one plant gets attacked I’ll have another coming along to provide us with squash all summer long (hopefully).
This week looks good for planting. Tuesday night has a weather prediction of 39 degrees then nothing lower than 44 degrees for a low the rest of the week. In fact it looks like we’ll hit highs in the 80’s! That’s good tomato weather don’t you think?
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I’m looking forward to the warmer weather, too!
Hi! I understand your feeling about wanting to plant. I began planting some vegetables in my garden last week. I probably jumped the gun because it is a little too early to plant some items (like eggplant and summer squash). I always get anxious this time of year and start planting before it is actually time.
I also share your dread of squash borers and squash bugs. Try planting radishes and marigolds around the squash. Planting these helps to deter those two nasty critters.
Good luck with your garden!
Tee Riddle
Dave, it does seem like we’ve had a fair share of rain!
I have wanted to plant too! g
Yes – more rain today. I spent my garden time today checking seedlings in my greenhouse and visiting local nurseries.
Happy Spring – thank you for making ours more knowledgeable.
Great Tomato weather I would say. Great idea on the squash planting..I’m gonna use it if ya don’t mind?
I’ve been gardening all weekend, and still have more plants to go into the ground. I see this rainy spell as a great thing for all the seeds that have germinated in the garden!
Cameron
Looks like the rain is headed our way tonight Dave. But after a long weekend of mulching, planting etc…I’m looking forward to MN taking care of the much needed deep watering. 🙂
Hi Dave, yes the rain is good, maybe not the cold night temps though. I need to pay attention to your succession planting. The squash sounds interesting, as do the beans. I have never done that before, so will be watching to see when you do these plantings. Are you starting the squash inside first?
Frances
Great advice on succession planting squash! Those borers killed all my squash in no time flat last year. I had read about them and wondered if that was what was happening to my squash. My husband slit the stems with a knife, and sure enough those gross things were inside!
Yes, but can we go ahead and plant in rain?
Anonymous,
I think it depends. If it’s as heavy as it has been here lately I would wait. But I like planting in the sprinkling rain. It’s pleasant, waters the plants, and keeps the temperatures down for transplants which keeps them from wilting. The one big thing to worry about planting in the rain is compaction. That’s not too big of a risk in an organically filled raised bed!