It is that time of year. Time to start putting out those early plants to get them ready for the brutality of life in the garden. Some of the things I will do an early start on are onions, lettuce, spinach, kale, cabbage... the cold weather crops. You can start them indoors like I do with onion seeds for my storage onions, or start them in the ground like I do for green onions and peas.
If you start plants indoors they have the best of growing conditions. Perfect water, perfect light...the good life. Outdoors it is windy and cold. The full sun is more than they are used to. Taking plants out means doing it in slow steps. First days are just for a few hours, out of the wind, indirect light. Lengthen the time out, increase the light exposure, get them used to the breezes then bring them back in at night. If you have an unexpected snow storm or cold snap into the teens and 20's, keep them in. Within a couple of weeks they are spending the whole day outside from sun up to sun down. The leaves feel thicker, stronger than the tender plants you started with.
The cold tolerant plants will be ready for planting out in the garden as long as the soil is workable. If you have to chip away the ice, it's too early. If the soil feels like a wet sponge, it's too early. It should turn easily and hold together without water dripping out when you squeeze it in your hand. You can use floating row covers to add some protection or a heavier frost cover if some colder weather sets in after planting. It is surprising what cold weather crops can handle. They are not talking very favorable conditions for my planned planting on Easter weekend, but I am going to start making my plans anyway.
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