The Second Week In April Is the Traditional Time

Bob Bauer

April 12, 2017 (Last Updated: March 06, 2023) | Reading Time: 2 minutes

April 12, 2017

The second week in April is the traditional time to direct seed broccoli and cauliflower, so if you haven't gotten around to it yet, there's still time. I'll be planting my second patch of corn because the first planting is doing so well. I've had to cover it four nights so far so I wouldn't recommend that early a planting for anyone but the goombahs who would rather be in their gardens than anywhere else. I don't mind going down after dinner and covering plants up..

I go right by the garden every morning when I walk the dogs, so uncovering them is just another excuse to go in the garden. The direct seeded cucumbers, pumpkins and butternut squash are gettingÃ¢ÂÂ their second set of leaves so you brave ones might try some melon and squash now..

April 13, 2017

When I lifted the lid to one of my cold frames this morningÃ¢ÂÂ the watermelon transplant inside was covered in pill bugs. It was surrounded with diatomaceous earth. This is not good news for all of us gardeners trying to grow organicly. All my melon transplants on that side of the garden are gone..

Cold soil keeps summer plants from growing, and wet soil encourages the pill bugs. I haven't had this problem before so I've never researched it, but I think there might be other organicly friendly solutions, like paper collars to surround the stem at soil level with sticky stuff to paint on them. Of course we could always wait until the soil warms and dries out but that would be too easy..

April 14, 2017

I took the plastic off the corn today because the corn is getting too big to fit through the holes. I put the plastic down where the next planting of corn will go and planted right through the holes. I slid the plastic down a half foot so the corn seeds are covered, and I'll slide it back up when they start to germinate. I've got a reusable corn template now. Will I plant corn again next year on March 20th? Probably..

Will I indoor start melon and squash again next February 10th? No way. I'll plant them to be ready to transplant out by now, April 15th. We have a freeze watch in effect tonight so I'll be covering everything again. All the buckets and bowls are still in the garden from the last frost so it will be quick and easy..

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