Tips

The growing season is never as long as we would like, especially for those who live in the north. Here are some tips on how to extend this time. 

Get a Head Start. Get a head start on the growing season by planting indoors. Many can be started up to 4 weeks before the original planting time. The best time to transplant is in the spring and summer when they are actively growing; be sure to wait until after the last average frost.

Control the Soil Temp. Use mulch to help insulate or cool down the soil, depending on the time of year. During cold climates consider using dark black or brown mulch in order to attract heat. In hot weather climates, use a reflective or lighter colored mulch in order to keep your plants cooler.

Protect Your Plants. Cover your plants when harsh weather permits. Use clear plastic, fabric row covers, and other homemade remedies in order to protect your plants. Just make sure to remove the coverings when the sun is out and when weather is calm.

Choosing the Right Plants. Choose plants that generally suit your climate best. This will help you maintain your plants easier so that they may produce for longer periods of time.

Feed for Healthy Plants. Feed your plants regularly with specially formulated plant food in order to keep them healthy and strong.

Successive Planting. Continuously replanting is a productive way of stretching the harvest season. There are different methods for this type of planting: 

• Same Crop but Alternate Plantings 
  
• Different Varieties of the same Crop with Different Maturity 
  
• Short Season Crop First, Long Season Crop Second 
  
• Two Different Crops in Same Area

During spring, you must always be prepared for unexpected frost especially in the northern regions of the country. Here are some tips to ensure you and your plants are ready for the frost.

1. When you buy plants, check their frost tolerance. High tolerant plants are less likely to be effected when the frost bites.
2. For the more sensitive, tender plants, bring them indoors if possible. Otherwise, be sure to shield them from the cold and wind. Place them behind a shed or on lower slopes of land where they will be safe.
3. Keep an old sheet or blanket to use as a cover during the nights when temperatures drop. Glass jars and sacks can also be used as covers. Make sure to remove the coverings in the morning so the plants can get enough sunlight.
4. Water your plant thoroughly during the late afternoon with warmer (not hot) water. This will keep the soil warmer for a longer period of time.
5. Raised-Beds are a great way to keep your plants out of the frozen ground.
6. Avoid cutting any damage that is created on your plants during the winter weather. These will actually serve as a guard until the weather becomes warmer.
7. Spread mulch around the base of a plant to insulate the ground and protect the stem from harsh winds.

Springtime is a great time to start getting outdoors and tend to your gardens. Whether you already have a fruit tree or planting one this season, knowing and understanding how to maintain your fruit tree is essential to its growing success. Here are some general fruit tree tips to use during the upcoming season.

Pre-Planning. Early spring is a great time to start planning. If you are ordering bare-root trees, make sure you order them early enough so delivery is in time for planting. Before your trees arrive, find a spot with adequate amounts of sunlight and good soil. Plant your tree immediately after delivery.

Purchasing a Tree. Many nurseries and local lawn and garden retailers sell fruit trees. It is important to check over the trunk before you choose your tree. Avoid trees with crooked trunks. When they are young, it is much easier for a tree to tip over in harsh winds so choose a tree with a straight and well-balanced trunk. Also, choose a tree with higher branches. Low branches make it harder to walk and mow under the tree. Overall, it is critical you select a tree with a healthy trunk and strong roots.

Planting. Be sure to wait until the soil is soft enough to dig up. Dig a hole wide enough to accommodate all the tree’s roots (generally 2-3 times as wide as the container or roots). While digging, keep in mind that a wider hole creates more space for the roots to grow. Make the hole deep enough that the buds of the tree are no more than 2 to 3 inches above the settled soil. Fill the hole back in with an enriched tree & shrub garden soil for optimal drainage, aeration, and added nutrients.

Pruning. The dormant season is a good time to prune your fruit trees. This common practice controls growth, removes dead or diseased branches, develops strong limbs, distributes sunlight evenly, and initiates new growth. Precise and correct pruning is what creates strong branches and trains them how to grow. For more pruning tips, check out our article: Pruning Trees.

Remove Mulch. It is important to protect your trees from the cold winter months. If you added mulch around your trees in the fall, now is the best time to remove the old mulch. Temperatures can still fluctuate in the early spring months; add a fresh batch of mulch to protect your trees from any unexpected frost. This will help keep the soil warm and guard the base from any harsh winds.

Fertilizing. With the growing season right around the corner, it is a good time to feed your trees and provide them with the essential nutrients they need in order to grow. Trees feed at different rates depending on the soil temperature. That’s why it is important to use a Specially Formulated Plant Food to ensure the tree is effectively receiving the proper nutrients.

Gardening with Dad can be a fun way to spend Father’s Day. Although most fruits and vegetables must be planted during spring, pumpkins are great to start growing in June. Here are some quick tips on how to grow healthy and bountiful pumpkins. 

When to Plant:

Late May – Early June (days average at least 70ºF) 

Where to Plant:

Large area with lots of sunlight 

How to Plant:

• Using a tiller or hand spade, mix Schultz® Enriched Garden Soil for Flowers and Vegetables into the top 6 inches of native soil. Level the area with a rake. 
• Plant seeds 1 inch deep in rows 4-6 feet apart. 
• Place 2 seeds in each hole—holes should be 2-3 feet apart. 
• Add a fertilizer to your soil to promote growth—we suggest using Schultz® All Purpose Plant Food. Our Schultz line comes in granular for a slow-release feeding over 3 months and a water soluble which feeds every time you water. 

Maintenance and Upkeep:

• Thin plants with 3-4 leaves—1 plant every 2-3 feet. 
• Eliminate weeds with hoeing and shallow cultivation. 
• Watch for powdery mildew and pests (i.e. cucumber beetles and squash bugs). 
• Water deeply and infrequently (irrigate for extended dry periods). 

When to Harvest:

• Mid-late October 
• Deep and solid in color (orange for most varieties) 
• Rind (skin) is hard 
• Stems are dry 

How to Harvest:

• Cut from the vines carefully, leaving 3-4 inches of the stem attached. 
• Avoid cutting or bruising the pumpkins. 
• Store in a moderately warm, dry place (between 50°F and 55° F).