Spring Planting Tips (3/4) -

This entry is part 3 of 4 in the series Springtime Adventures

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As spring heats up, Atlanta’s gardeners are anxiously awaiting the season of renewal and growth, ready to embark on their gardening adventures. With the threat of frost fading away and temperatures rising, it is the ideal time to dive into spring planting and gardening projects. From colorful blooms to fresh vegetables and herbs, gardens will soon be bursting into vibrant life. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a novice enthusiast, the opportunities for cultivating beauty and abundance in Atlanta’s soil are endless.

With a little planning and preparation, April and May offer an abundance of opportunities to plant a beautiful and productive garden. Whether you are filling your flower beds with colorful blooms, starting a vegetable garden or growing herbs for culinary delight, the possibilities are endless. So grab your gardening tools, roll up your sleeves and get ready to sow the seeds of springtime splendor in your garden. Here are some ideas about what to plant for a vibrant and bountiful season.

Flowers:

Annuals – True annuals are plants that germinate, flower, set seed and die all in one season. Growing annuals can be a great way to take gardening one year at a time and are perfect for temporarily filling in bare spots in established gardens or refreshing containers throughout the season. April and May are perfect months for planting annual flowers in Atlanta. Consider adding bright and cheerful blooms such as petunias, marigolds, impatiens and zinnias to your garden beds, borders and containers for a burst of color that will last throughout the spring and summer months.

Perennials – Although perennials tend to cost more initially, they are a good long-term investment because they return year after year. And spring is an excellent time to plant perennial flowers in your garden. Some popular options include coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, coreopsis and salvia. Most perennials require less water once established, which can be especially advantageous for those who garden in drought-prone areas and want to reduce their water consumption. Be sure to choose varieties that are well-suited to our climate and soil conditions for best results.

Bulbs – If you did not plant bulbs in the fall, you can still add summer-flowering bulbs to your garden over the next month. While summer-flowering bulbs are on nursery shelves now, they should not be planted until the earth is very warm. 65 degrees F. at a two-inch soil depth is a good rule of thumb. That temperature may be measured occasionally, but not consistently, until mid to late April or early May. For those that live north of I-20, the first week in May is a good time to aim towards planting summer-flowering bulbs, including canna, caladium, dahlia and gladiolus. For those that live south of I-20, you could probably put them out successfully in the last week of April. One way to know your local soil temperature exactly is to visit the Georgia Weather Network.

Vegetables:

Warm-season vegetables: With the threat of frost behind us, it is the ideal time to plant warm-season vegetables. Tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers and beans are all excellent choices for spring planting. Start seeds indoors or purchase transplants from your local garden center to get a head start on the growing season.

Herbs: Fresh herbs are a delightful addition to any garden and are easy to grow in containers or in the ground. Plant herbs such as basil, parsley, cilantro, dill and mint in a sunny location with well-drained soil and regular watering for a bountiful harvest throughout the season.

Leafy greens: Leafy greens thrive in the cooler temperatures of spring and are perfect for planting this month and next. Consider sowing seeds or transplanting lettuce, spinach, kale and Swiss chard in your garden beds or containers for a continuous harvest of fresh greens throughout the season.

Root vegetables: Root vegetables such as carrots, beets, radishes and turnips can be planted in Atlanta gardens this spring for a delicious harvest later in the year. These crops prefer loose, well-drained soil and should be planted in a sunny location with regular watering to promote healthy growth.

Tips for Success:

Soil preparation: Before planting, take the time to prepare your garden beds by loosening the soil and adding compost or organic matter to improve soil structure and fertility. Proper soil preparation will provide a healthy environment for your plants to thrive.

Watering: Keep newly planted seeds and transplants consistently moist until they become established. Once established, water your garden regularly, providing about an inch of water per week, either through rainfall or supplemental irrigation.

Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around your plants to help conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Organic mulches such as straw, shredded leaves or pine straw are excellent choices for Atlanta gardens.

Pest and disease management: Keep an eye out for common pests and diseases that can affect your plants, such as aphids, caterpillars and fungal infections. Monitor your garden regularly and take appropriate measures to control pests and prevent the spread of disease.