Planting a garden

You have a similar climate to the one in eastern Ontario where I grew up. We neverstarted our garden until the 24 of May weekend(its a holiday here in Canada)because that was thought to be the last possible frost date. and our gardens thrived. Just check thegermination and growing dates on the package if you are putting in seeds and you should be fine if they are less than 120 days until crops. Even better, put in ready grown seedlings, and you will have a headstart. Right npow, I only have pepper and tomato seedlings started, but I plan to put in peas, beans, potatoes and lettuce as well, and if I can find them, cucumber seedlings. We also have somesunflower seedlings sprouting, compliments of the birds dropping some of last year's crop onto theground.

I actually started my garden indoors about two weeks ago. I take them outside during the day and bring them in when the sun goes down. Right now I have pumpkins, melons, sweet corn, broccoli, beans, onions, carrots, and romaine lettuce. I guess I have a little of everything. I started growing them in very tiny "egg crate" looking things that transfer easy into a pot. Most of them are in pots now and I will be planting them into the garden in a week or so. Right now I enjoy checking on them a couple of times a day and moving them around from the comfort of the balcony. :) Check the back of your seed packets and it will tell you what temps to be aware of. If you are within that range, then start planting outdoors. If not, you could always start them inside! :)

You shouldn't be too late, if you use starts that have already grown in the nursery or hot house. I've been planting most of mine from seed and started it about three weeks ago. Now is actually the perfect time to get those buggers in the ground and growing. This is my first garden in years. I have all kinds of things coming up and growing. It's a great site to see and really boosts my confidence. What do you want to plant?

You can plant a garden in the spring or even early summer - just make sure that all chance of frost is past. The only thing that a late planting will cause is a later season harvest. Don't plant so late that the plants won't have time to mature and produce before cold weather sets in, though. You should be fine to plant even now. You can even plant some things like certain squash and greens in the fall for a winter crop. I have beans, corn, onions, tomatoes, peppers, wax beans, lima beans, collard greens, mustard greens, radishes, beets, leeks, celery, several different types of squash, and many herbs planted. I will have to replant some of mine, though - the bugs and the snow in late April (where it hardly ever snows!!) got some of my veggie plants.