When to Start a Vegetable Garden in the Northeast
The frosty northeastern winters can last well into May, which is typically the time to start a vegetable garden. Knowing how to negotiate the cold weather will help you grow a successful vegetable garden. Does this Spark an idea?
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Starting Indoors
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Most vegetables, such as tomatoes, squash, peppers and cucumbers, require more warm growing conditions than the northeast can offer. The solution is to start these plants indoors in the late winter and keep them in temperatures ranging from 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Transplant them to your outdoor garden once spring has arrived and the soil temperature averages 55 degrees.
Starting Outdoors
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Some vegetable plants can endure the cold early spring and can be planted once the soil is dry enough. For example, peas can be planted in your garden as soon as spring arrives and the soil has sufficiently thawed.
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Considerations
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About two weeks before transplanting vegetable plants to your outdoor garden, they need to acclimate to colder temperatures. Gradually reduce the temperature and the amount of water to maximize adjustment to the cool outdoors.
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References
Resources
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