Local experts explain when the best time is to start planting a garden
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) – Dr. Susan Monteleone, an Associate Biology Professor at Tusculum University, told News Channel 11 the tricks to growing your own produce at home.
“Make sure that you know where you’re planting,” said Dr. Monteleone. “If you put it in an area that has a lot of shade, you’re going to want to know what kind of plants are there that are shade-tolerant.”
Dr. Monteleone said that right now, April, is the best time to plant hearty, leafy vegetables because they can withstand cold low temperatures.
“Early spring plants that you can put in are things like kale, carrots, broccoli, anything in the broccoli family, cabbage, green beans, those kinds of things,” said Dr. Monteleone.
As for other produce plants such as fruits and tomatoes, they should wait a little later in the season when the temperatures are warmer.
“You can get the seedlings at your nurseries and put them in the ground if you’re an early starter,” said Dr. Monteleone. “For some of the plants, you probably would have started a few weeks ago to get them started up to some above-ground grows.”
Becky McNeese, owner of the Greene House in Greeneville, said certain flowers will even survive during the colder nights.
“It’s safe to plant perennials now because most of them have wintered over and are pretty cold tolerant,” said McNeese. “Some of them are tender and you would have to cover if we have another frost.”
However, McNeese suggested planting annual flowers later in the month, around Mother’s Day.
“The trick to success is knowing where you’re going to put the plant,” said McNeese.
McNeese told News Channel 11 that planting native plants will help benefit the food chain because there has been a decrease in certain insect species that help to feed the bird population.
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