Happy Spring! We’re ready to get outside and enjoy the warm, sunny days. So, let’s get our gardens started.
Early spring planting begins in April. Vegetables like arugula, peas and radishes take well to being planted in the first few cool days of spring. It is also the ideal time to plant lavender, all grasses, perennials, evergreen and deciduous trees, such as maple, hydrangea, crape myrtle, and birch, before they begin their active growth cycle. Shannon Florist’s greenhouses are fully stocked with annuals, perennials, vegetables and soil this time of year.
In May the soil reaches a temperature safe enough that you can start planting herbs along with alyssum, begonias, geraniums, impatiens, marigolds petunia, portulaca, and sun impatiens just to name a few. Waiting until at least Mother’s Day is best to start planting tomatoes and peppers outdoors.
The soil in the Rockaways tends to be sandy. It drains rapidly and often lacks essential nutrients. To give your plants a fighting chance, mix in significant amounts of high-quality compost or organic matter to improve water retention such as organic plantone and soil amendment. If you feel your ground soil is too sandy you can use raised beds or container gardens.
Summer favorites for containers include coneflowers and black-eyed Susans. Persistent ocean breezes carry salt spray that can “burn” the leaves of sensitive plants. It is best to stick to plants that are more salt tolerant such as beach roses (Rosa rugosa), Montauk daisies, and grasses.
And just like that spring turns into summer.
The peak of summer can bring intense heat and potential drought. Because sandy soil dries out quickly your garden will need more frequent watering. Water early in the morning to minimize evaporation. Applying a thick layer of mulch will protect roots from the heat, reduce weed competition, and conserve the moisture you just added.
Summer will also bring windy days with some storms. It’s a good idea to protect taller plants like tomatoes or sunflowers with sturdy trellises, cages or stakes that will keep their tall stems from snapping.
Happy planting, Rockaway! Remember that Shannon Florist is here for all our gardening needs. Let’s make this a beautiful season – enjoy the summer!
