Knowing how to prepare your garden and when to plant is crucial to success this summer, according to an Upper Cumberland Ag Extension agent.
Pickett County Ag Extension Agent Billy Garrett said garden season usually starts around Easter, but this year’s temperatures have been too inconsistent. Garrett said people should already be preparing the soil for their garden.
“Get your garden worked up, you need to get it tilled up good, whether that’s having somebody come in with a tiller, whether you’ve got a plow to come in, you just need to get it to where it’s worked up to where you can get in it easily with a hoe or a garden tool that way you can get in it and plant your seeds,” Garrett said.
Garrett said the best time to till your soil is when it has been dry for a couple of days. Garrett said the best time to start planting is right now, as the soil temperature is starting to warm up.
“We’ve had a cold spell, you know, in the last few days, but we have had some really good weather,” Garrett said. “The soil temperature should be up good enough to get your seeds germinated, you just don’t want to start too early.”
Many people who first get into gardening invest a lot of time and in some cases money in their garden. Garrett said the biggest mistake most people make when gardening is overwatering their plants.
“Sometimes they think when it starts starting to get dry, they will start watering,” Garrett said. “A lot of times, overwatering is more harmful than watering enough. I know I can pass by, and people have sprinklers out and their garden hoses out, trying to water their garden. Sometimes, that’s not a good idea. Moisture can cause things to grow, it can cause, you know, bacteria and fungus and different things on the plants, and a lot of times, overwatering will kill the plant.”
Garrett said the plant will tell you when it needs water. Garrett said that when a plant starts to discolor or wilt, is when the plant needs water. Garrett said cracking soil is also a sign that the plant needs water.
Garrett said he recommends that people call their local ag extension agent if they have questions or concerns about their garden.
