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Spring Activities:
Planting
Planting is often one of the most exciting times in a garden. Finally, it is
time to sow your crop and watch it grow. Again, remember to take out your garden
map to find out where you want your plants and seeds to go.
Planting begins with the digging of a furrow. With a rock, stick, corner of a
hoe, or even a finger, make a furrow: a long, narrow indentation in the top of
the soil. Follow directions on the seed packages to find out how deep to dig a
hole and how far apart to plant seeds. Remember to work with seeds and
soil in a gentle manner. Be sure to carefully water your seeds and your soil.
Mark the row or spot with the label you've made.
![[Students posing with garden]](images/trellis.jpg)
Some plants need something to cling on (such as peas, pole beans, and morning glories).
Plant them a few inches from a chain-link fence if your garden has one, or create
a trellis from stakes and string: Evenly space several stakes along the row.
String twine at several heights between the stakes. Tall, leafless, branching
twigs are another option.
Other plants need support because they get too big to support themselves
(tomatoes, sunflowers). You can use bamboo sticks, old pieces of wood, broom
sticks, or purchased cages. Be creative! Make your own
supports!
The seedlings started indoors are planted after the last frost. A week to ten
days before the plants are to go into the garden they need to be hardened off,
acclimated to the outdoors. Plants are placed outside during the day only, for
a few days. Then they can spend the day and night outside for a few more days.
When you plant the seedlings outdoors, dig a hole for the seedling and
gently remove them from the egg carton or other pot (unless the pot is biodegradable)
so that the crown (the point where the roots join the stem) is just at soil
level. Fill the hole with soil and pat it down gently. Water gently around the
plant. Label the plants.
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