Spring Gardening Tips!

Vegetables to plant in April in the Pacific Northwest:

APRIL

Seed Outdoors - Arugula* Asian Greens Beets* Broccoli* Br. Sprouts Cabbage* Carrots* Cauliflower* Celery* 4/15 Chives Cilantro* Dill Fennel Green onions. Artichoke, Kale Kohlrabi Lettuce* Parsley Peas Potatoes (tubers) Radish Sorrel Spinach* Swiss Chard Turnips.

Starts Artichoke* Broccoli* Cabbage* Cauliflower* Celeriac Celery Collards Kale* Lettuce Onions Parsley Potatoes (tubers) Salad Greens Swiss Chard Tomatoes

How to Fertilize

ASPARAGUS

Fertilize asparagus twice a year. In the spring when spears first start to emerge, apply 2 cups of Down To Earth All Purpose 4-6-2 , Fertilizer per 10 row feet, then cover with 2” of compost.
Repeat this application in June, immediately after the final harvest. Every second spring, apply 2 cups of agricultural lime per 10 row feet along with the spring fertilization.

RASPBERRIES

Fertilize Raspberries with a balanced fertilizer such as Down To Earth’s Acid Mix 4-3-6 two times per year; once in March and again in May.

GARLIC

When active growth begins in early spring, side dress with a high-nitrogen fertilizer like Down To Earth’s Blood Meal 12-0-0, Fish Meal 8-6-0, or high-nitrogen Bat Guano 7-3-1.
Repeat in late March. Follow in late April and late May with a high phosphorus fertilizer such as Down To Earth’s Bone Meal 3-15-0 or Fish Meal 8-6-0.

LAWN CARE

Apply fertilizer just before or after seeding. For establishing your lawn, you can use fertilizer relatively high in nitrogen and phosphorus, such as Down To Earth™ Bio-Turf 8-3-5 which has extra potassium for reducing seasonal stresses related to temperature and watering changes.

Maintaining Healthy Grass

A typical home lawn gets more complex each year. In the first year, it contains mostly grass species found in the seed mix, but over time, it evolves to 3 or 4 species that have adapted to your climate. This new mix is referred to as a “climax lawn” and is a natural process as your lawn adapts to its environment. By concentrating on mowing, irrigating, fertilizing, de-thatching, and aeration, you can maintain a healthy and attractive lawn.  You should fertilize at least twice a year in order to maintain a relatively healthy lawn.

If you only fertilize twice, fertilize in April/May and again in September. If you fertilize more than twice, do so in April/May, July, and October.