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When to plant....

Posted by kes_cor Z5 Chicago, IL (My Page) on
Fri, Jan 28, 05 at 12:54

I hope I can get some suggested dates to plant the following veggies:

Snap Peas
Broccoli
Romaine Lettuce
Spinach

How early can they be put out?

Direct sow or transplant?


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: When to plant....

No rush on the broccoli, you want it to mature in cooler (late summer/ fall) weather. The others can be direct seeded when the soil is ready in early Spring. They'll germinate in cold soil & handle freezing weather.


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RE: When to plant....

You should check out the Winter Sowing (WS) forum. It's a great technique for getting those cold weather veggies started nice and early, all outdoors and NO growlights. It'll sound farfetched at first, but read the FAQ.

Happy Growing,

Feegle


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RE: When to plant....

I'm in the Chicago area. I've always heard that peas can be sown outdoors on St. Patrick's Day, and that's when I've tended to do it. And it's a good excuse to go sticking your fingers in the soil in March.

I don't know that it's worth your while to do transplants, "winter sowing" or otherwise, for things like lettuce and spinach, although if you had an actual coldframe, I think a lot of people start their lettuce in those.


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RE: When to plant....

I live near Grand Rapids Michigan, also zone 5.

I've always planted peas in early to late april.

Lettuce and spinach can freeze off from the frost that we get into the second week of May. Though worth trying earlier.

Brocolli, buy transplants and make sure they are hardened off. They can take some frost so early planting is good.

All these crops can have a second planting in late July /early August for a fall crop.

Ron

Here is a link that might be useful: Backyard Birding Tips


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RE: When to plant....

Broccoli or any cabbage family can be sown now using the Winter Sowing method. I have already sown a lot of flowers and some chinese broccoli since the middle of January. All the containers are out on the patio covered with snow right now.

Check out the Winter Sowing forum. I started winter sowing this year and I am having a great time this winter. :-)


 
 

 

 


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