A Beginner's Guide to Planting Seeds in the North Country

Planting seeds and growing your own food or flowers is one of the most satisfying and rewarding experiences for any gardener. Whether you are planting a garden for the first time, or you're new to the area - this guide will provide you with the basic tools you need to plant seeds successfully in the North Country.

When is the Best Time to Plant?

With our cold winters and short summers, timing is essential when planting seeds! Here's a simple planting timeline to follow:

Starting Seeds Indoors: Start your seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before your last expected frost date. In Zone 4, the last frost date is typically between mid-May to early June. This means you can start seeds indoors as early as mid to late March. Plants like peppers, tomatoes, and watermelons have a longer day length (days to maturity). Which means they need to be the first & earliest seeds you start.

Outdoor Planting (Direct Seeding): After the last chance of frost, usually around Memorial day, you can start planting seeds directly outdoors. However, be cautious of the weather — it’s not uncommon for temperatures to dip again after the last frost!

Choosing Your Seeds

We recommend choosing high-quality seeds for best results! You can find Rohrer Seeds Brand and Botanical Interest Seeds here at Martin's. Both of these brands are high-quality and reliable!

Cold-Hardy Greens: Spinach and leaf lettuce are perfect for direct seeding early gardens. They can withstand frost and cooler temperatures, making them ideal for early spring planting.

Root Vegetables: Carrots, radishes, beets, and turnips grow well in cooler soil. Direct seed them as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring. These crops also do well in deep, raised gardens!

Peas: Plant peas early in the season as they can handle the cooler temperatures and can even tolerate a light frost.

Pro Tip: Mr. Martin recommends direct seeding spinach, leaf lettuce, carrots, radishes, beets, and spring onions NOW for an early summer harvest. Once the plants start to emerge, watch your weather forecast and be prepared to cover them if the temperatures drop into the 20's.

Looking to plant cauliflower, head lettuce, broccoli, brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, or kale? Unfortunately, it's too late to start these seeds now. We recommend stopping by and getting our ready-to-plant seedlings. These plants should be transplanted now for an early summer harvest. While these plants can tolerate lower temperatures, they should be covered if temperatures drop into the mid 20's.

Flowers:

Starting seeds indoors gives your plants a head start, allowing them to grow larger and stronger before being transplanted to the garden, which can lead to earlier blooms and a longer flowering period. Always remember to harden off your plants that have been started inside before planting them outside!

Preparing Your Garden Soil

Preparing your soil is one of the most important steps in ensuring a successful garden.

We recommend adding Frey's Mushroom Compost to your garden soil to improve soil structure, fertility, and drainage. If you are ready to fill a raised garden bed, we recommend Coast of Maine Raised Bed Mix. Both of these products and many more are available here at Martin's.

Till the Soil: Lightly till the soil to break up any hard clumps and create a loose, crumbly texture. This helps seeds make contact with the soil and ensures they can germinate properly.

Planting Seeds: Tips for Success

Now that you’ve chosen your seeds and prepared the soil, here are some tips to ensure your seeds grow successfully:

Follow Planting Depth Guidelines: Each seed variety has a recommended planting depth. Generally, plant seeds about 2 to 3 times as deep as the size of the seed. This information is usually found on the seed packet.
Space Seeds Properly: Allow enough space for your plants to grow. Overcrowding can stunt growth and make your plants more susceptible to disease. Seed packets often provide recommended spacing for each plant.
Water Gently: Newly planted seeds are delicate. Water them gently to avoid disturbing the soil. Keep the soil consistently moist until the seeds germinate, but not soggy.
Use Row Covers for Protection: Since we can experience late frosts, using row covers can protect your young plants from unexpected cold snaps. Old bed sheets can also work well for this. These covers trap heat and can extend your growing season.

Caring for Your Garden

After your seeds have germinated and begun to grow (yay!), it’s important to continue caring for them throughout the growing season:

Weeding: Regularly remove weeds that compete with your plants for water and nutrients.
Fertilizing: Plants need nutrients, just like us! It is important to use a good-quality fertilizer to keep your plants healthy and strong! Don't have one, or need a better one? Stop by Martin's and choose from our great selection of high-quality fertilizers! Not sure what to get? Ask a team member to help you find just what you need!
Pest Control: Keep an eye out for pests that could harm your plants. Insecticidal soap or neem oil can be an organic solution to control common garden pests.

Conclusion:

Gardening in the North Country can be both challenging and rewarding. By following these tips and choosing the right seeds, you can successfully grow a variety of vegetables and flowers, even with the shorter growing season. With a little care, attention, and a little help when you need it from your friends at Martin's, you’ll be able to enjoy a bountiful harvest and beautiful blooms right in your own backyard!

Happy gardening and remember- every great gardener starts somewhere!