Spring Planting – Herbs and Vegetables

Most herbs and vegetables prefer sunny, well-drained soil, although some will do well in partial shade.

Some herbs and salad greens are considered semi-perennial and will continue growing for a few years. For example: Swiss Chard and French Sorrel will produce for at least three years if trimmed to soil level each autumn. Parsley and dill will often “self-sow” and if the area is left undisturbed will return each spring.

If you’re going to use herbs mostly for cooking, plant them near the kitchen so you can dash out and do a quick harvest. For instance, basil goes well with tomato dishes, dill with cucumber and mint with snow peas. So plant these herbs and vegetables together in the same area.

An herb bed for beneficial insects might include borage, lavender, sage, thyme and savory. Bees also love flowering herbs as well, so include lemon balm and sweet basil when planting. Birds will enjoy the seed heads of fennel, dill and sunflowers.

Combine purple basil, purple cabbage, purple beans, ruby lettuce and dark purple eggplant all in one area. Stunning to say the least as everything grows and matures !

If you have a small area that only receives 3 to 4 hours of sun, plant mint, chervil, parsley, lettuce, onions and spinach.

Herb plants that crawl along the ground include creeping thyme, prostrate rosemary, Corsican mint, and miniature strawberries. Plant these on a hill or a steep slope. These plants can also be planted between stepping stones.

Grow herbs and vegetables in hanging baskets, planters and containers which are at least 12 inches deep. Make sure they receive 4 to 6 hours of sunlight and regular watering.

Use shrubby herbs such as rosemary, lavender, sage and wormwood as hedges to outline and define garden beds. Blooming chives are beautiful when planted among colorful zinnias and marigolds. Dwarf curly kale and burgundy lettuce make attractive and edible border plants.

Go ahead and try different things. Use leftover “mix and match” seeds, onion and garlic bulbs in any sunny spot. You may be surprised at how well herbs, greens and flowers thrive in unusual locations.

The word April comes from the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite.

Planting dates for April:

Plant above ground crops- 3, 4, 10, 11, 26, 27, 30
Plant root crops- 12, 14
Plant annual flowers-3, 4, 26, 27, 30
Plant biennials and perennials- 12, 13, 14
Transplant bedding plants- 3, 4, 10, 11
Control pests in garden- 20, 21, 24, 25

2017  Moon Phases for April (Eastern Standard Time):

First quarter, 3rd, 1:39 pm
Full moon, 11th, 1:08 am
Last quarter, 19th, 4:57 am
New moon, 26th, 7:16 am

Blessed be, sweet ones

~ Meadow Walker