4.18.26 - Hardening Off

Transcript

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Hey everyone, welcome back to the Keep Growing Podcast, where we dig into real gardening advice for the Mid-Ohio Valley. I’m your host, John Morgan, coming to you from right here in the valley. 

Whether you’re tending a backyard plot, raised beds, or containers on a balcony, this week’s episode is packed with timely tasks to keep your garden thriving as we head deeper into spring. Let’s jump right in!

 Weather Outlook for the Week

First, let’s talk about what the weather has in store. We’ve got a mix ahead that gardeners know all too well—stormy spring weather with big temperature swings.

Another round of strong to severe storms is possible Saturday afternoon and evening as a strong cold front moves through. There’s still some uncertainty about how severe it could get, so keep an eye on your local forecasts and secure any loose pots or young plants.

Behind the front, Sunday brings gusty winds and much cooler air. We could even see a few snowflakes across the higher terrain of the northern mountains of West Virginia into Sunday night and Monday.

Early next week, watch for potential frost or freeze headlines, especially if skies clear and winds calm down at night. A very dry air mass will settle in after that. Your best bet will be keeping tabs on Bob’s Market’s social media and website for any frost warnings or updates—we’re always on top of it for our local growers.

By mid-week, we rebound nicely: warmer temperatures return to the 70s and lower 80s, with nighttime lows settling into the 50s. Overall, it’s a week to stay flexible—protect tender stuff early on, then get busy planting once things warm up.

 This Week’s Top Gardening Tasks

Alright, let’s get to the dirt. Here are the must-do activities for April 18 through 24:

1. Hardening Off Your Indoor Seedlings 

If you started seeds indoors this winter or early spring, now’s the perfect time to begin hardening them off. Those tender babies have been living the easy life under grow lights—they need gradual exposure to the real world so they don’t throw a fit from sun scorch, wind, or temperature swings.

Start slow: Put them outside in a protected, shady spot for just an hour or two on mild days. Increase time each day, and gradually introduce more direct sun. Bring them back in at night, especially with the cooler air and possible frost early next week. By the end of the week, if temps cooperate, they’ll be much tougher and ready for the garden soon.

Pro tip: On windy or stormy days like Saturday, skip it or use a cold frame or sheltered porch.

2. Begin Spraying Fruit Trees After Petals Fall 

For those of you with apple, peach, plum, or other fruit trees—keep an eye on bloom progress. Once petals have fallen and pollination is done, it’s time to start your post-bloom pest and disease control sprays.

This is “pest control done right”—targeting things like codling moth, apple scab, or brown rot without harming pollinators that are still active during full bloom. Always follow label instructions, choose bee-friendly timing (evening sprays), and consider organic options like neem oil or horticultural sprays if you’re growing for the family table.

3. Plant Summer-Flowering Bulbs 

Get those summer color-makers in the ground! Now is a great window to plant dahlias, gladioli, lilies, cannas, and other summer-flowering bulbs and tubers.

Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Plant at the depth recommended on the package—usually 2–3 times the height of the bulb. They’ll reward you with vibrant blooms from mid-summer into fall. If we get any late frost worries early in the week, hold off until things settle.

4. Seed Edible Flowers: Nasturtiums and Calendula 

Add some beauty and flavor to your garden and plate! Direct-seed nasturtiums and calendula this week.

These edible flowers are pretty in the garden, attract pollinators, and make fantastic additions to salads, garnishes, or even pest-deterrent companion plants (nasturtiums are great near veggies to draw aphids away). Sow nasturtium seeds about ½-inch deep, spacing 10–12 inches apart. They like full sun to partial shade and actually prefer poorer soil—too rich and you get more leaves than flowers.

Calendula is similarly easy and cold-tolerant. Both will germinate quickly as soils warm up mid-week.

Lunar Gardening Note

Don’t forget your moon phases! The First Quarter Moon arrives on Thursday, April 23rd. This is traditionally a great time to plant or harvest aboveground crops—think leafy greens or those edible flowers we just mentioned. The increasing moonlight energy supports strong top growth.

Finally:

- Stay on top of weeds while they’re small—pull them after rain when the soil is soft.

- Keep an eye on soil moisture, especially with the dry air mass moving in later in the week.

- If you’re unsure about frost protection, row covers or old sheets are your friends.

That’s a wrap for this week’s episode! Gardening in the Mid-Ohio Valley is all about rolling with the punches—cold snaps, storms, and then beautiful warm days. Keep at it, and your garden will reward you.

If you have questions or success stories, drop them in the comments, send a message, or tag us on social. And remember to check Bob’s Market for any frost alerts, great plants, and supplies.

Thanks for listening to the Keep Growing Podcast. Get out there, get your hands dirty, and, of course, keep growing!

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