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March 2022
Issue 159
Hello Great Gardeners,

Spring is almost here, and we know everyone is getting antsy to get out in their gardens. With that said, you can do more harm than good if you plant too soon. Attempting to work the soil when it is too wet can result in soil structural issues that can take years to resolve.

So when is a good time to start planting? As soon as the ground is workable, you can begin planting. The best way for you to determine whether or not you can work your garden’s soil is to take a handful of soil from the bed and gently squeeze it to form a ball. A garden trowel works well to dig out the soil. Next, try to break it apart using your thumb or fingers to see if it easily crumbles, which would mean that the bed is good to work in. If the soil forms a ribbon when pressing it with your thumb or turns into a squishy ball when trying to break it up with your fingers, then it is too wet, and you should avoid planting.

Many people have been asking when different plants will be available for sale. (Depending On Weather)
* Fruit trees are now in stock
* Trees and shrubs will be starting to come in mid-late March
* Perennials will be starting to come in late March - beginning April
* Pansies - will be ready the weekend of Spring Open House
* Cole crops late March - beginning of April
* Warm crops (tomatoes, peppers, etc.) - Late April - beginning of May
As always, if you have any questions, comments or suggestions, hit reply. I would love to hear from you. Have a great-gardening day.

Sincerely,
Holly
Spring Gardening Tips
  • Prune most fruit and shade trees, grapevines, and summer blooming shrubs (prune spring bloomers after flowering).
  • Begin fruit tree spray program. We can help with products and spray guidelines
  • Fertilize fruits, trees, evergreens, shrubs, and lawns. Wilson’s has the proper fertilizer for each.
  • Prepare your vegetable garden for planting once the soil is workable, adding compost (such as Bumper Crop).
  • After the ground has warmed some, Plant hardy vegetables such as onion sets, peas, and cole crops (cabbage and broccoli)
  • Trim ornamental grasses to 4-6" above the ground so that the fresh new growth can grow up through them. Clean up any other debris from perennials.
  • Remove mulch from perennials and roses gradually as plants show signs of new growth. Trim off dead parts.
Starting Seeds Indoors
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Wilson's has all you need to start your seeds indoors. From pots, seeds and soil. Get a head start and buy early.
Soil
To start seeds indoors, purchase seed starter soil mix. It will be clean of any diseases or weed seed and is the sensible way to go. Regular “dirt” from outside does not work well for starting seeds inside and should be avoided.
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Trays And Pots
Place dampened starter soil in new plastic trays with drainage holes. (Another option is peat pots.) Sprinkle seed lightly in rows on firmed down starter mix.
Tiny seed may not need covering at all while larger seed should be covered no more than twice the thickness of the seed. Follow the instructions on the seed package if it is available.
Setting the tray on an electric heating mat ensures the proper temperatures for good germination. This works great for starting almost any type of seed. Covering the tray with a humidity dome ensures that the seeds have enough moisture to germinate. Remove dome when the plants have emerged.
Lighting
Grow lights or fluorescent lights placed a foot or so above the seed trays will give adequate light for germination.
After the seedlings have two sets of leaves, many kinds can be set  in direct sunlight for sturdier growth. 
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Transplant
Plants can be transplanted to growing containers as soon as they can be handled. Seedlings need room to grow to produce sturdy healthy plants. Otherwise they will be thin and spindly and too weak to endure transplanting outside. If seeds are sowed directly into growing containers, then thin out seedlings so that remaining ones can be stronger.
When plants are almost ready to go outdoors, place them outside for an hour or so each day to acclimate them to the sun and wind.  This is referred to as “hardening off” the plant. Increase exposure time gradually until ready to transplant. For our area, you can plan on transplanting your seedlings outside after the frost date, which is around May 15th.
Jewel Orchid
Prized for its beautiful foliage, this plant has oval leaves with a network of copper veins and red on the reverse. Native to the Asian tropics, it is found growing on the forest floor.

Sun: Bright Light (Indirect Sun)
Flower Color: White
Soil: Well Drained
Water: Allow the top of the soil to dry between waterings. Do not let soil get bone dry.
In Stock!
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Upcoming Wilson's Events:
Spring Open House
March 18th - 20th
Enjoy refreshments while exploring what is NEW at Wilson's.
Free Pansy for the first 100 guests.
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The Market Sharpener
Sunday, March 27th
10 am - 3 pm
Jim will sharpen knives, kitchen tools, scissors and garden tools (cost varies). he does NOT sharpen blades from power tools including lawn mower blades or barber/stylist shears. (Limit 4 items per person).
When To Start Sowing Seeds Indoors
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Seeding your own seeds can be a fun way to bring the family together, but you do not want to start them to soon or all of your hard work will go to waste.

Typically most seeds are planted 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Here in Newark, Ohio that would be May 15th.
From homesteadspirit.com
Start Indoors:
February 15th:
Celery - Transplant Outside March 15th
Onions - Transplant Outside April 1st
 
March 1st:
Parsley - Transplant Outside May 1st
Kale - Transplant Outside April 15th
Lettuce - Transplant Outside April 1st

March 15th:
Broccoli - Transplant Outside May 1st
Cauliflower - Transplant Outside May 1st
Cabbage - Transplant Outside May 1st
Brussel Sprouts - Transplant Outside May 1st
Peas - Transplant Outside May 1st

April 15th:
Basil - Transplant Outside May 20th
Tomatoes - Transplant Outside May 20th
Melon - Transplant Outside after June 1st
Corn - Transplant Outside May 15th

May 1st:
Peppers - Transplant Outside June 20th
Pumpkins - Transplant Outside May 20th
Cucumbers - Transplant Outside June 15th
Licking County Master Gardener Session
March 19th: Seed starting, selecting seeds, soil prep and optimum growing conditions.
 
At The OSU Extension Office
located at 771 East Main Street
Newark, Ohio. 43055
Session is Free, but registration is required.
Call 740-670-5315 to register
CONTACT US
STORE HOURS
FIND US ON
Wilson's Garden Center
10923 Lambs Ln.
Newark, Ohio. 43055

740-763-2873
740-763-2874 (Fax)

office@great-gardeners.com
 March 1st - 13th:
Monday - Sunday:
8 am - 5 pm

March 14th - May 1st:
Monday - Sunday:
8 am - 6 pm
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ABOUT US
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We are a family owned and operated garden center specializing in plants that thrive in Central Ohio

For more information about our store please
Visit Our Website