Here in Zone 9 Spring is the best time of year to grow vegetable crops. The weather is not to cold and not quite summer hot yet. The days are long enough to encourage growth and production, but short enough that temperatures don’t reach what they will in the summer. Here are the Top 5 Spring gardening tips for Zone 9.
Top 5 Spring Gardening Tips
- Prep the beds for planting before winter is over
- Start hardening off seedlings before the last frost
- Transplant seedlings early in the season for best results
- Start summer crops mid spring
- Start a Compost Pile
1. Prep the beds for planting before winter is over
The best time to start getting a bed ready for its spring crops is during the winter. Start by making sure the bed is completely free of weeds (make sure to pull out all the roots as well to help prevent return). Once all weeds have been removed add a thick layer of high quality compost and work that into the soil. Then put a few layers of mulch (shredded or small leaves work well for this) over the bed until it is time to sow seeds or transplant seedlings into the bed. Keeping the mulch on the bed will help retain moisture and nutrients in the soil as well as help prevent weeds from taking hold.
2. Start hardening off seedlings before the last frost
The end of winter in Zone 9 is marked by a few very cold days surrounded by warm days. These warm days are the perfect time to start hardening off seedlings that where started indoors. Start by placing the seedlings in a sunny location out doors for about 1-2 hours, then bring them back in side. The next day add about 1-1.5 hours of time in the sun. Continue doing this until the seedlings are out in the sun for about 8 hours, skipping any day with temperatures bellow 60 during the sunlight hours. Using this technique will have the seedlings ready to be transplanted outdoors as soon as possible in the growing season.
3. Transplant seedlings early in the season for best results
The sooner seedlings are transplanted out doors the sooner they will start to produce. Keep a close eye on the weather and as soon as all threats of nights bellow 45 are gone, transplant your seedlings outdoors. If there is a chance that the weather is going to drop bellow 50 at night after the plants have been moved, make sure to cover all the fresh the plants with a clean blanket and a 12 hour hand warmer could even be laid on the soil under the blanket to help.
4. Start summer crops mid spring
There are a few crops that thrive in the heat of summer in zone 9. Okra, black eyed peas, eggplant and most peppers are examples. Getting them started mid spring will have them ready to produce as soon as the spring crops are slowing down because of the summers heat. Many summer crops can be started in containers and transplanted into the beds that spring crops once occupied.
5. Start a compost pile
During the spring everything around will be growing fast, including grass and weeds. Spring is the best time to start a compost pile, if you don’t already have one! Start with a pile of fresh cut grass and pulled weeds. Add any fallen leaves that are still around from fall/winter and any scrap vegetables from dinner! Continue to grow the pile, keeping it moist and turning it every week. By the end of summer this pile will be ready for use in the fall garden or to save for next years spring crops.
