Beginning gardeners are sometimes intimidated because it seems there is so much to learn even before the first seed or plant in put into the ground. Here is a primer on some gardening basics to put you more at ease.
Last frost date. This is the last day, or night, that the temperature drops below 32 degrees in the spring. Unfortunately we can’t know exactly when that date will be, but on average it is around May 10 in our area. It is an important date because there are many plants that die if hit by frost. If you plant them outdoors too early you will have wasted your time and money. In general, plants will be safe if planted after May 10, but you should be vigilant about watching the weather forecast until the end of May and cover your tender plants if a frost is forecast. There are many seeds that should not be planted until after the last frost as well, and the seed packet will tell you so.
Hardiness Zone. The United States Department of Agriculture has developed a plant hardiness zone map for the United States and southern Canada based on the average annual minimum temperature in winter. Zone 1 is the coldest and Zone 11 is the warmest. In the Fox Valley, we are between Zones 4 and 5. This is important to know when buying plants, especially by mail order. Information with the plant will show a range of zones in which the plant will thrive, or if one zone is listed, it is the lowest zone number in which a plant will survive.
Annual. This is a plant that lives only one year – it germinates, grows, flowers, sets seed and dies in one growing season. Some examples are impatiens, zinnias, begonias, marigolds, basil, dill, tomatoes, peas, beans and peppers.
Perennials. These plants live for more than one year. Some of them die to the ground each winter and come back in spring; others like trees and shrubs remain standing. Some perennials are daylilies, irises, hosta, lavender, sage, mint, rhubarb and strawberries.
Mulch. Mulch is a layer of material spread on the surface of the soil to retain moisture, retard weed growth, keep the soil temperature constant and prevent soil from splashing on plants. There are organic mulches such as leaves, pine needles, wood chips, straw and shredded newspaper. Inorganic mulches are black plastic and stones. The difference is that organic mulches will slowly decompose and improve soil structure and fertility.
Two books I recommend to beginning gardeners are The Big Book of Gardening Skills by the editors of Garden Way Publishing, and The Garden Primer by Barbara Damrosch. Or call the Winnebago County Master Gardener Association at 920-232-1986 with questions. Messages are checked twice daily and someone will return your call.
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