A few weeks ago we discussed the soil preparation needed for a successful vegetable garden. Assuming that the soil has been prepared and allowed to settle (rest) for two or three weeks, you are ready to plant your vegetables.

In the Bay Area we plant winter vegetables and summer vegetables. At this time of year we can plant tomatoes, squash, string beans, pumpkins, peppers, eggplant, carrots, turnips, radishes, potatoes, spinach, chard, lettuce, cucumbers, beets, basil, and of course, parsnips. It’s too late for asparagus, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and the other cole crops which are winter vegetables. Peas are also winter vegetables.

Your vegetables can be planted from seeds or from individual seedlings purchased at Wegman’s. When you want tomatoes for home use, it is more practical to buy six different varieties of seedlings rather than a package of 75 or more of the same kind of seeds. On the other hand, 48 string bean plants will sprout in four or five days and produce a stronger root system if they are planted from seeds.

Radishes, beets, carrots, turnips and other "root crops" have to be planted from seeds because they are not sold as seedlings.

Tomatoes (see the Care Sheet on our website) will need support to keep the fruit off of the ground. You can build your own support or buy ready made tomato cages such as the Texas Tomato Cages that Wegman's features. You need a minimum of six feet of support. Cucumbers will grow nicely in the small three foot tall tomato cages.

If you want to plant corn, you need to plant a block at least six or eight feet square to ensure that you get adequate pollination. Otherwise, you may end up with ears that have large gaps in them. Raccoons will probably eat most of the corn, anyway.

String beans can be either bush beans or pole beans. Pole beans can be easily supported on plastic bird netting and will produce more beans than the bush beans. Be sure the pole beans are located so that they do not shade other parts of the garden.

Plants in the squash family have long vines and could usurp limited space in a small garden. Plant squash, pumpkins and such plants at the edge of the prepared garden or raised bed and let the vine trail out onto the lawn, sidewalk or whatever.

Radishes, carrots, lettuce and small crops can be planted in between and around tomato plants to make use of vacant soil spaces.

The vegetable garden will need to be irrigated and fertilized on a regular basis. Master Nursery Tomato and Vegetable Food applied once a month provides all necessary nutrients. For those organically inclined, Dr. Earth Tomato, Vegetable and Herb Fertilizer applied every two months is recommended. The organic fertilizers take longer to break down and therefore are applied less often. Fertilizers such as Miracle Gro are so short lived that we can not recommend them for the vegetable garden. Covering the entire area with another one to two inches of Gold Rush as mulch after fertilizing is highly recommended.

Soaker hoses are our choice for irrigating the vegetable garden. Water is not wasted and the soil is kept uniformly moist to encourage well developed root systems for all of the crops.

Last week, we said that 55°F was the soil temperature at which plant growth would become active. If you can’t wait for the temperature to reach 55°F by itself, you can help a little bit. Before planting your seedlings and after planting seeds, cover the entire area with a piece of 2 mil clear plastic. Then cut X’s in the plastic and plant your seedlings in the soil. Hold the edges of the plastic down with soil and leave in place until the plastic starts to interfere with plant growth. Covering the soil with plastic early in the year can probably increase the soil temperature 10 to 12 degrees.

Wegman’s has a huge variety of organic and non-organic vegetable starts and as the weather warms up more and more will be arriving!

We also have a huge variety of flower and vegetable seeds from Botanical Interests, Franchi, Lake Valley and Renee’s Garden.

Season Starter--Early Season Plant Protector

Protect plants and extend your growing season. You can plant tomatoes up to 6 weeks earlier and harvest fruit earlier. Ideal for all vine plants and herbs.

3-pack--$17.99

3-pack--$10.99

Weed Impede is a liquid pre-emergent herbicide you can apply with a sprinkling can, hose end sprayer or tank sprayer. The pre-emergent herbicide can be applied among your established trees, shrubs, perennials, bedding plants and ground covers. Now is the perfect time to apply Weed Impede because it needs to be watered in by rain (or sprinkler if there is no rain).

Mix one and one-half ounces (3 tablespoons) with a gallon of water to cover 1000 square feet (20’ by 50’) and you will prevent new weeds and unwanted grass from showing up in your garden.

An added bonus is that for the next 30 days, Weed Impede is 30% off! So, take advantage of the timing, the rain and the discounted price and enjoy less weeding this spring!

A rare yellow-flowered Magnolia! Magnolia Elizabeth and Yellow Bird are Tulip trees that display elegant tapered buds that open to large, primrose-yellow blooms and it’s fragrant as well. This Magnolia is an upright pyramidal grower well suited for use as a single specimen.

If you are looking for a dramatic pink purple Tulip tree try the Black Tulip Magnolia or the Magnolia soulangeana.

Looking for a star? The Magnolia stellata Royal Star is the one for you.

Whether, pink or magenta, white or yellow the spring blooming Magnolias are stellar. These deciduous trees may be topped to form a hedge. The plants want full sun and regular watering, especially in extreme heat. Fertilize with Formula 49 before new growth begins in spring.

Companion plants that pair well with Tulip trees are the Spring Glory Forsythia, rhodies and azaleas.