YOUR GUIDE TO THE TWIN CITIES
Cheating the season
Posted on April 26th, 2007 – 5:53 PMBy Connie Nelson
I used to be a cheater. Not on my husband. In my garden. As soon as the snow melted, I’d plant any plant I could get my hands on. I even planted seedlings outside (without hardening them off, of course) as soon as they developed leaves, last frost date be damned. Needless to say, I got burned. Or my plants did. So I’ve given up trying to be the first on the block with a ripe, red tomato. Now I aim for something a little safer, like the first on the block with some fresh, green leaf lettuce.
I got tired of obsessing over weather forecasts, running around with blankets or hauling pots in the porch when the temps took a dive. And take a dive our temps will in a Minnesota spring, even in the midst of global warming. But I know there are lots of you who use layers of plastic, cold frames or Wall’ O Water to rush the season.
OK, cheaters, here’s your chance to brag. Tell us how early you plant and what tricks you use. What have you already put in the ground already this season?
Oh, and if there are any play-it-safe gardeners out there, let’s hear from you, too. Do you hold off until May 15 (the average last frost date in the Twin Cities) to plant perennials? Memorial Day for tomatoes? If so, why?
25 Responses to "Cheating the season"
I used Walls of Water last year. They were a huge pain to set up but I did get tomatoes by July 4. I am trying them again this year with red mulch put on a few weeks ahead to warm the soil plus a few strategically plastic jugs filled with water. I also have a few plants that I plan to keep inside in case disaster strikes.
I’m the ultimate cheater. I’m always the first to get nice, red ripe tomatoes every year. In fact, I can get them before the last frost date! What’s my secret? The produce section at Cub!
I planted two packets of tomatoes and two packets of mixed eggplant in February.
February!!!
I don’t know what I was thinking… winter must have confused my sense of time. Anyway, now I have eggplant seedlings flowering in my living room, their roots spreading out like thirsty, demanding tentacles into the peat-packs of their neighbors. I did already harden some off on my porch and put them in whiskey barrels outside, (the weakest ones) simply because there was no room left that the lodge, as it were.
So far they’re still alive, albeit a little miffed at being chosen as the weather guinea pigs…
Margaret,
I’m interested to know why you used red mulch. Was that to warm the soil? There is some research that shows that using colored plastic can help warm the soil, but nothing (as far as I know) about colored mulch. In fact, there are some concerns about using colored mulch in vegetable gardens. What I’ve read so far suggests that the dyes are colorfast, but that some of the wood used in the colored mulches may contain chemicals. Let me know if you’d like me to do more research on it. (I started reading up for a story I was going to write but haven’t gotten around to yet.)
This year I am doing a trial run with my Dahlias. I have taken them and planted them in a cardboard produce box with holes from Costco to give them a head start. I am trying to keep them warm and will then transplant them once the soil is ready. So far just watching I will keep you posted. Who knows??
I have instant color in my front door pots by taking hanging baskets from the garden center and sticking them in the planters. Cut off the hangers and you are good to go! I will replace these planters as new baskets arrive at the farmers market!
-Green Guy.
Sorry, I meant to say red plastic. I guess I think of any kind of soil covering as a mulch. Yes, to warm the soil and then for the tomatoes because it supposedly makes them grow faster. Last year, I did the WOWs without using the red plastic and my tomatoes came in early. I am hoping that by warming the soil and using the red plastic I can get an even faster result. My tomatoes are going outside May 1.
I wait until Memorial Day for two reasons. The safe from frost factor is one. But the biggest reason is that it is a long weekend and there’s time to do it. By then I’ve gotten all the clean up done, the mulch down, etc.
I’ve heard about red plastic being special in growing tomatoes but all I can find is the black plastic. Where does one get RED plastic?
I’m one of those lucky people with a personal greenhouse. Several hundred plants in there now. I started my seeds beginning in February and continuing through early this month. I now have zinnias, comsos, coreoposis, petunias, marrigolds and many others either flowering or in bud, along with all the vegetable or our vegetable garden. I also start some of my dahlia’s and canna’s early for earlier flowering in our very short growing season in Roseau county. The hardest part is holding off planting out in the garden for another few weeks at least. I alway keep some extra in the greenhouse in case of a late frost. Happy gardening.
I’ve never had much luck direct sowing annual vine seeds so one year I decided to start them indoors - even though I know it’s recommended to direct sow. I had canary vine, moonflower vine, hyacinth vine, cardinal vine, morning glories of all colors and just about every variety of vine seed I could get my hands on. They sprouted and were growing beautifully and then I realized I had planted them way too early (mid-March) and they eventually grew leggy and yellow and died. It was such a bummer. I wish more garden centers would have vine seedlings - most of the time I see just the morning glories and moonflower.
Vine-ette,
I really have a soft spot in my heart for moonflower and morning glories, but I’ve never had any luck starting the seeds indoors. The seedlings seemed OK, and I actually spent a few days hardening off, but they never took off. Now I just direct-seed them in the garden and wait and wait and wait for them to bloom. Does anyone have a trick for starting these late bloomers early?
Green Guy,
Can’t wait to hear how your dahlias come up. I planted some dwarf dahlias last year and they did OK. I haven’t even found the bulbs this spring, tho. Guess I should do that, huh?
Say, great tip on the instant color idea. Where do you usually get your non-hanging hanging baskets?
Vine-ette,
Opps, I forgot to say that most garden centers have at least some vining plants, usually morning glories. However, few garden centers keep vines in a separate area. They’re usually tossed in with the perennials. I don’t know where you live, but some good places to look for vining plants are Plantique in Minneapolis and Brewery Creek Farm in Belle Plaine. Some of the smaller specialty nurseries (Tangletown and Uncommon Gardens in Minneapolis, Highland Nursery in St. Paul and Squire House in Afton) might also have a good selection. Call around.
Connie,
I usually get my baskets from the Farmer’s Market in St. Paul. This past weekend I grabbed some from Costco of all places!
All,
I noticed some vine chatter happening and I am wondering if anyone has any magical answers for gettting wisteria to bloom earlier in the season here?
Also, need to get my climbing hydrangia to bloom after six years???
I cheated by moving to the Northwest. I already have peas that are 2″ tall, and I picked a leaf of spinach to munch on this morning (not ready to pick enough for a salad, though). I also have broccoli, romaine, brussels sprouts, carrots and various flowers, all outdoors and doing quite well.
Started most of them on windowsills in March, and put them outside in mid-April.
My friend just delivered several 2″ tomatoes that she sprouted on a heating pad with a grow light. They’re in pots by the garage. Now, I’m just waiting for the pepper seeds I saved from last year to sprout. . .
Green Guy,
I’ve had some climbing hydrangea in my garden for about 5 years, but still no bloom. I do have a pal whose climbing hydrangeas bloom beautifully, but only after about six years or so. They’re beautiful if you can wait them out.
Gad zooks! You must be one heckuva gardener Green Guy. I’ve never heard of anyone in Zone 4 trying to get a wisteria to bloom ealier. Most of us are just trying to get them to bloom at all. Blue Moon is the hardiest wisteria, according to Nancy Rose, a woody plant specialist and Home+Garden section contributing writer. It’s supposed to bloom in June and have a second, lighter bloom in September. (BTW, this plant was developed by the much missed Rice Creek Gardens.)
Hey Poverty,
Moving out of Minnesota is probably the best way to cheat the season! Check in every once in a while just to let us know how far behind we are, will ya?
Connie,
I just about gave up on my Wysteria and two years ago they popped!!! Now I am after some serious bloomin action!!! My neighbor has some of the original Wysteria that blooms in Minnesota from that one lady (some local Wysteria legend) apparently, her husband snipped it years ago as a traveling salesman and brought it to her. Hard to get. I’m going to try and get some of my neighbors…IT IS AMAZIN!!!
I cheat too. I have a grow light set up in the bathroom upstairs and start growing seedlings in mid-March. I have also been brave and put a tomato plant out at the end of April. I’ve been too afraid to try anything else.
Marcia,
You are brave. But if it’s worked for you, you grow girl!
I’m guessing we won’t have any more serious cold. But I wouldn’t put money on it. Would you?
Green Guy,
Ah, the old traveling salesman wisteria legend . . . it’s great fun, isn’t it?
We’re going to write about it later this summer. Won’t say much now, but there are many twists to this climber’s tale. Stay tuned.
I am a “wait until past the last frost date” type of gardener. Put stuff out too early, the weather might kill it. If I put stuff out after the LFD, at least that risk is removed. Then it just has to survive MY novice gardening skills!
We do have some very nice seedlings started - basil and lavender are looking especially good. The chamomile didn’t produce.
I’ve just discovered this blog. I am enjoying it! I’ll be back to read more. I’d love to hear about the wisteria legend…
Connie,
Update…my Wisteria has buds!!!!!!
And the poppies are poppin!
Looks like a good summer! FYI: The wisteria drapes over my picnic table and makes for awesome garden dinner parties. Maybe I will invite you Green Girls over for a mojito or some sort of infusion cocktail!!!
Cheers!
Where I see gallery?
Greengirls Connie Nelson, Robyn Dochterman and Jaime Chismar are dishin' the dirt from the backyard garden and beyond. Whether you're a greenthumb or greenhorn, they're eager to learn from your misshaps, mistakes -- and most importantly, your sweet successes -- all growing season long.
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