You can continue to grow your cold-weather plants in the vegetable garden. Plant your broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage when the air temperature stays consistently above 40 degrees. You can also plant beans, runner beans, sweet corn, and bulb plants. Sweet corn planted earlier in the season tends to have fewer pest problems. Vegetables, especially those with brightly colored fruits, can also be planted in your flower beds if space is tight. If you haven’t already started, it’s time to harden your vegetable seedlings like tomatoes and peppers so they can go into the garden when the chance of frost is over. If you already have seedlings in the garden, be prepared to protect them from chilly nights. Floating row covers work well, but leaves will do in a pinch. This year I started a new bed of asparagus next to my strawberries because they are good companions for each other. It is recommended not to harvest any of the spears in the first year. Wait at least until your second year, but it’s even better if you can wait until your third year. It’s a long time to wait, but it will be worth it. I just have to buy a few from our local farmers market. You can harvest spears when they are 6 to 8 inches tall if you already have an established bed of asparagus. Speaking of farmers’ markets, they have started. Consider buying the vegetables that you cannot grow in your own garden from the local farmer’s market vendors. While enjoying seasonal fresh and ripe products, you support local businesses and reduce your carbon footprint.
