3.21.26 - Episode 100

Episode Transcript

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Welcome back to the Keep Growing Podcast, everyone! I'm your host, John Morgan, coming to you from right here in the Mid-Ohio Valley. Whether you're pruning roses, starting seeds indoors, or just dreaming about that perfect tomato harvest, this is the place to keep your garden – and your spirits – growing strong.

Before we dive in, a huge shout-out: This is Episode 100! Can you believe it? One hundred episodes of tips, tricks, weather watches, and all things gardening in our beautiful region. Thank you so much for listening, sharing, and growing along with me. If you've been here from the start or just joined recently, drop me a note on X @bobsmarket – I'd love to hear about your favorite episode or a tip that's helped your garden thrive.

Alright, let's get to this week's update for March 21st through March 27th, 2026.

First, the weather outlook – because timing is everything in gardening, right?

This weekend is looking gorgeous! Expect temperatures climbing into the upper 60s by Saturday, and potentially hitting the mid-80s by Sunday. That's some serious spring tease! Perfect for getting outside, assessing your beds, and maybe even doing a little light cleanup.

But hold on – a more robust cold front moves through Sunday night into Monday. We're watching for another round of severe weather potential. As of now, there's a slight risk in southeast Ohio and a marginal risk for parts of northeast Kentucky and western West Virginia along the Ohio River. Main threats look to be marginal hail and strong, damaging winds. Nothing apocalyptic, but definitely stay weather-aware if you're planning outdoor work those days.

After the front passes, temps drop back into the 50s early next week, with overnight lows dipping into the 30s. So, classic Mid-Ohio Valley spring rollercoaster – enjoy the warm-up, but don't plant anything tender just yet!

Now, onto your actionable gardening to-dos for the week.

If you've been thinking about expanding your space, this is a great time to build a raised bed garden – especially if you're ready to commit. Raised beds are a smart move: they're much easier on your back (no more constant bending!), they offer superior drainage to prevent waterlogged roots, and they warm up faster in spring. If your soil is heavy clay or you're dealing with poor drainage, this upgrade can transform your results. Grab some untreated lumber, cedar if you can swing it, or even cinder blocks for a budget version, and get building while the weather's cooperative this weekend.

Next, think pollinators and beauty: Order wildflower seeds now if you haven't already. These mixes bring in bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects while adding those gorgeous pops of color throughout the season. Native blends do especially well here in the Valley – look for ones heavy on black-eyed Susans, coneflowers, bee balm, and cosmos. Sow them soon after your last frost (we're still a ways off), or start some indoors if you want a head start.

For something a little more structured and romantic, sow sweet pea flower seeds for outdoor planting in mid-April. These fragrant climbers are tough, love cool weather to get established, and will scramble up trellises or fences like crazy, filling the air with that incredible scent. Direct sow them in a sunny spot with good support – they'll charm your garden and your neighbors all spring and early summer.

And don't forget our lunar gardening tip: The First Quarter Moon arrives on Wednesday, March 25th 🌓. This is prime time in biodynamic or lunar-cycle gardening for planting or harvesting aboveground crops – think anything that produces fruits, seeds, or flowers above the soil line. If you're starting transplants indoors or prepping beds, lean into that waxing energy for strong growth.

That's your quick-hit list for the week: Build those raised beds if you're set up for it, order wildflowers, get sweet peas ready, watch the moon on the 25th, and keep an eye on that Sunday-Monday front.

Finally, exciting news on the horizon – keep an eye out this week as we finalize details for the Spring Color Tour at Bob's Market and Greenhouses production facility in Mason, West Virginia. This behind-the-scenes look at our massive greenhouses is always inspiring – rows of vibrant annuals, and all the spring magic in the making. Head over to bobsmarket.com soon for full details, and how to join. It's a fantastic way to kick off your planting season!

That's it for this milestone episode. Keep planting, keep learning, and keep grow …Thanks again for making it to 100 with me – here's to many more!

Until next time, get your hands dirty, stay curious, and, of course, keep growing!

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