When should you start planting in your garden this spring? Here's a Oklahoma cheat sheet
If you're ready to begin your spring garden, there's still time to dig in.
Some eager gardeners may have gotten a head start, as some experts recommend starting as early as February, but there's still plenty of vegetables to grow this month.
Here's a look at vegetables and fruits to try, and when to plant them:
When should you plant your garden vegetables and fruits?
Vegetable or Fruit | When Should Plant It | Days until Harvest |
|---|---|---|
Beets | March | 50 to 70 |
Broccoli | March | 80 to 90 |
Radishes | March 1 to April 15 | 25 to 40 |
Sweet Corn | March 25 to 30 | 80 to 100 |
Asparagus | April or November | N/A |
Cucumbers | April or later | 50 to 70 |
Okra | April or later | 60 to 70 |
Summer Squash | April or later | 40 to 60 |
Pumpkins | April to June | 90 to 120 |
Green Beans | April 10 to 30 | 50 to 60 |
Tomatoes | April 10 to 30 | 70 to 90 |
Eggplant | April 10 to 30 | 80 to 90 |
Lima Beans | April 15 to 30 | 90 to 120 |
Watermelon | May 1 to 20 | 90 to 120 |
Cantaloupe | May 1 to 20 | 80 to 100 |
Sweet Potatoes | May 1 to June 10 | 80 to 90 |
Winter Squash | May 15 to June 15 | 110 to 125 |
Tips and tricks
The following tips from the OSU Extension office may help to prevent some common garden problems:
Apply fertilizers in the recommended manner and amount.
Add organic materials such as yard waste compost or composted manure to improve soil organic matter.
Use recommended varieties.
Use mulches to conserve moisture, control weeds and reduce fruit rots.
Control only those insects in the garden that are known to be pests.
When possible, harvest vegetables during the cool hours of the day.
What to avoid:
Planting too closely, which prevents walking or working in the garden, may favor diseases and interferes with normal plant development.
Placing fertilizer directly in contact with plant roots, stems, or seeds.
Planting varieties not recommended for your area or the season; however, do try newly released varieties.
Watering frequently or excessively so that the soil is always wet and soggy.
Allowing weeds to grow large before elimination.
Applying home remedies, fertilizers or pesticides in a haphazard manner, or without reading and following product instructions.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Oklahoma gardening: When should I plant this spring?
