Date: March 25, 2004

Release: Home Gardening

Writer: Tony Melton, County Agent

Florence County

I am Fool about Gardening

April 1st or April Fool’s Day is this week. After many years experience of vegetable gardening, April 1st is my green light to plant. Most people wait until Easter but after chomping at the bit all winter I can’t wait any longer. The threat of frost is not totally over, but I am willing to take a little risk to have early fresh produce.

First, this timing works for me because if seed are planted by the time they emerge and are susceptible to damage the threat of frost is minuscule. The important thing is if the soil is warm enough for seed germination. To warm the soil I like to use black plastic mulch. It will warm the soil causing seed to germinate, plant roots to grow, and increased earliness.

Next, when transplants are used, I am prepared to protect them from frost. Many items such as drinking cups, buckets, sheets, plastic, pinestraw, and etc. can be used to protect young transplants. Anything that will hold heat close to and cold away from plants will work.

Next, planting early in the spring is very beneficial in South Carolina. It gets very hot quickly. I jokingly tell most northerners that move here that we have four seasons in S.C., almost summer, summer, still summer, and Christmas. Plants that are started early have a better chance of developing properly before it gets real hot. In fact, some crops such as beans and tomatoes drop their flowers when it gets hot resulting in poor fruit set and reduced yields.

Finally, insects and disease problems are generally not as bad when you plant early. Most insect and disease problems tend to build and get worse throughout the summer. As summer progresses corn earworms, pickleworms, aphids, whiteflies, etc. are worse. Diseases like early blight, viruses, fungal leafspots, etc. increase.

To learn the specifics on gardening we have both free and for-sale publications at our office. You may also visit our Home & Garden Information Center through our web site at hgic.clemson.edu. I may be contacted through our web site, amelton@clemson.edu,or 661- 4800.

The Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political belief, sexual orientation, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.