February is the Perfect Time to Start Your Summer Garden

from Lori Thomas, President of Hall County Master Gardeners

As I sit down to write this, the ground outside my window has patches of snow, it is 20 degrees, and more snow is predicted for the weekend.  Thoughts of starting your summer garden may seem absurd, or at least not at the top of your list of to-do’s, but there is much you can be doing now to increase the success of your summer garden.

Testing Your Soil

We think of gardening as nurturing plants, but it is also about nurturing the soil in our gardens.  February is a good time to gather and submit your garden soil samples.  The UGA Extension Service will analyze your samples and give you recommendations about the types and quantities of nutrients to add to your garden.  One of the most important results you will see on your soil test report is the pH of your soil, and recommendations for the materials to add to your soil to achieve the optimum pH for your plants.  By doing the soil test in February, you have time to apply those garden amendments so that they can start improving the soil before the plants go into the ground.

Planning

February is a good time to plan what you want in your summer garden. Whether you are looking for a bumper harvest of tomatoes, or fresh flowers to fill your vases all summer long, there are lots of options available.  Potted vegetable and flower plants will be available in nurseries in April, but buying seeds now gives you a broader selection of plants to choose from and can be more cost effective.  Look through the seed catalogs you have received in the mail or visit online seed companies to get inspiration. 

Last summer my tomato plants were plagued by various diseases, particularly blight, so this summer I am looking for tomato varieties which are disease resistant.  This week I ordered seeds for several tomatoes that have good disease resistance.  I also ordered seeds for one of my favorite flowers, Benary Giant Zinnias.  I have found that this particular variety is less prone to powdery mildew and will keep blooming until first frost.  

Seed-Starting

Speaking of seeds, February is a good time to start seeds indoors for peppers and tomatoes.  I start seeds using a heat mat to speed up germination and grow lights to keep the seedlings from growing leggy.  With luck, the plants will be about 10 inches tall and ready to go into the garden in late April after last frost.  

Stay warm!  Happy gardening!