Answers for these questions were provided from the Fleet Farm Gardening Article Library and used with permission of Fleet Farm.  For more great gardening articles, check them out here. 

Q1: HOW do I start indoors?

In the article, “Starting Seeds Indoors for Spring“, we learn that:

• • Plastic trays, wooden boxes, or other containers 2 1/2-3 inches deep are ideal for starting your seeds.
  • Your seedlings should receive 12-16 hours of light daily, plus a period of darkness in between. (A grow light is recommended).
  • When selecting your vegetable and annual flower seeds, check the packets for the number of days until harvest and make sure those you choose will have enough time to ripen. Note: Plants vary from requiring 3- 15 weeks of indoor grow time.
  • A good seed-starting mix will contain all the nutrients needed for strong roots. 
  • Plant seeds as specified on packets (generally 2-3 times deeper than the seed’s diameter.
  • After planting, cover the container to prevent the seeds from drying out
  • After planting, cover the container to prevent the seeds from drying out.
  • “Harden Your Plants”: Two-three weeks before you move them outdoors, move your plants outside for a little bit of time each afternoon.

Q2: WHEN do I start planting outside?

According to Fleet Farm’s, “Month by Month Gardening Guide“, we learn that:

• • Gardening timing is best figured out by figuring out your “zone”. Wisconsin and Minnesota include ranges from Zone 3 to Zone 5.
  • Here is a great guide (by type) for when seeds should be started and moved outside OR when seeds can be started directly outside.
    • February – March: Start seedlings indoors.
    • April: 
      • Mid-late month, indoor sow seeds such as tomatoes, annual flowers and other vegetables. 
      • Start mowing lawn if it begins actively growing but keep height to around 3 inches.
      • Add organic matter to flower beds and vegetable garden.
    • Early May:
      • Sow grass seed on any bare spots, and if desired, use a crabgrass preventative.
      • Some vegetables (such as peas, carrots, lettuce and spinach) can be sown directly into the garden early in the month.
      • Cool season plants include potatoes, salad greens, onions, peas, beets, cauliflower, broccoli, and cabbage. They can go in the ground in Early May.
    • Late May:
      • Direct sow seeds for crops such as beans, watermelon, pumpkins and sweet corn.
      • Plant fruit such as strawberries and raspberries.
      • After danger of frost, transplant indoor sown plants to the garden.
      • After danger of frost, you can plant annual flowers in your garden as well as peppers and tomato plants.

Note: “After danger of frost” can be anywhere from April 10 – May 9th for Waukesha County.

Q3: HOW can I involve the kids in gardening?

According to the article, “6 Ways to Get Kids Involved in Gardening” and “Garden for the Kids“:

• • Let them get dirty!
    
  • Make it kid-friendly.
  • Add some magic to your garden.
  • Incorporate art projects.
  • Let them pick out the plants and veggies they want to grow.
  • Plan a dinner with what you grow.

Note: Children are more likely to eat (and enjoy) their vegetables if they have a hand in growing them. Invest in kid-sized tools and garden gloves!

Q4: WHAT’S the easiest way to garden?

Let’s be honest. I planted this question because I am NOT a good gardener and want to know what I can do to garden with the least amount of effort, ha! I got some good ideas from the Fleet Farm article, “10 Plants to Grow in Buckets” and “Herb Gardening 101“.  Here is my plan for this year:

• • The easiest plant to grow in a container is a tomato plant. I plan on buying a starter tomato plant in a container and a cage it can grow on! For potted plants we need to make sure:
    • Container has plenty of drainage holes.
    • Filled with a soil mix formulated for container vegetables.
  • I will also be buying my herbs as young plants in the garden center which will guarantee an immediate supply of fresh herbs (at least until I kill them).
  •  I will also get my kids involved and have them help me remember to water – they can even help by squirting them with their squirt guns!

Q5: WHAT plants should I grow ?

There is a plant guide here you can reference. The top list can include:

• • Beans
  • Beets
  • Carrots
  • Peas
  • Cucumber
  • Celery
  • Peppers
  • Radishes
  • Squash
  • Herbs
  • Annual Flowers for beautification 
• Here is a good resource from Fleet Farm for what plants do well in close proximity to each other.

Here is a sample square garden from our contributor, Martha:

Q6: HOW do I maintain a Garden?

From the article, “Maintaining your Vegetable garden” the steps for maintenance include:

• • Thinning: After sowing the seeds, sprouts should be thinned so they have room to spread out and grow. Do this soon after they sprout and continue to thin as the plants get larger.
  • Water Regularly: A single, deep watering is preferred to short, frequent spurts.
  • Mulch & Weed Control: Applying mulch helps control weeds by blocking light from their seeds. Pull weeds often and early -It is important to keep ahead of them before they become a problem.
  • Fertilize: Adding a fertilizer specifically for vegetables will guarantee your plants receive the nutrients they require. Organic fertilizers add basic nutrients, increase microorganism activity and are a great option for the environmentally conscious.
  • Control: Insects & Mammals. 
  • Support: Various plants will benefit from support cages or staking. If you want something to grow vertically, you have to support and help it.
  • Keep a diary: Keep track and learn for next year.

Q7: HOW OFTEN should I water my garden and plants?

According to the article, “Watering Tips” :

• • As with the lawn, try to water early in the day, and aim for an inch per week of water.
  • Rather than spraying plants with a typical hose or watering can, which deliver large amounts of water in a short time, soaker hoses water plants slowly over time.
  • One of the best ways to minimize your water use is to utilize a rain barrel or other water-catching device.