In the Garden 4-8-2011

Written By: Bob and Linda Larson  |  Posted: Thursday, April 14th, 2011

            It's spring again!! The robins are back, and as the old guys say "it has snowed on the robins three times". The recent warm weather has gardeners thinking of tilling and planting. In this article I want to talk about the length of the growing season in your zone. Here in Urne, Wisconsin we are officially in a USDA zone 4. There is a good possibility we could see frost as late as the last week in May and frost in the fall as early as the third week in September. That means that you need to look at how many days from the planting of your seeds to the harvest of your crop. The number of days is printed on the back of your seed packet. Don't let the beautiful pictures on the seed packets and in the catalogue lull you into thinking that if you can plant early and harvest late, you will be OK. Bob & I found out that 140 day squash in Urne just doesn't work!!

            In the Larson garden, Bob has been removing the dead plant residue left over from last year on the asparagus and perennial flower beds and pruning the raspberry canes. It's hard work, but very satisfying when everything looks clean and ready to till. Next week he will be starting the melon and squash seeds indoors to get a head start on the growing season. No weeds yet, but it's early……….

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