4.4.26 - Frosty Mornings Fresh Greens

Transcript

[Intro Music ]

Welcome back to the Keep Growing Podcast, your go-to source for practical gardening advice in the Mid-Ohio Valley. I’m your host, John Morgan, coming to you from Bob’s Market HQ in Mason, WV. 

Whether you’re in the Ohio side of the valley or across the river in West Virginia, this is the show that helps you grow more, waste less, and enjoy your garden every single week. 

Let’s dive into what’s happening in our gardens from Saturday, April 4th through Friday, April 10th.

First up, it’s prime time for planting a couple of cool-season crops that will reward your patience quickly.

Seed parsnips and leaf lettuce outdoors right now. 

Parsnips are one of those underrated root crops that get sweeter after a little frost. They need a long season, so getting them in the ground as soon as the soil is workable is key. Sow seeds about half an inch deep, one inch apart, in rows 18 to 24 inches wide. They can take up to 30 days to germinate, so be patient and keep the soil consistently moist. Thin seedlings to about 3 inches apart once they’re up. 

Leaf lettuce, on the other hand, is fast and forgiving. It’s perfect for fresh salads in just a few weeks. Scatter seeds lightly or plant in rows, and give them full sun to partial shade. Both crops love well-drained soil amended with compost. If you succession-plant every couple of weeks, you’ll have a steady supply through spring.

These roots and greens will be ready before you know it — perfect for early harvests in the Mid-Ohio Valley.

Next, if you haven’t finished your spring cleanup, now’s the time to knock it out before things really start popping.

Get out there and rake up any remaining leaves, cut back dead perennials, and prune out any damaged or crossing branches on shrubs and trees. This not only makes your garden look tidier but also reduces overwintering pests and diseases.

While you’re at it, test your soil and amend it with plenty of compost. Healthy soil is the foundation of a productive garden, and adding organic matter now will pay dividends all season long.

[Theme Inst]

Let’s talk weather for the week ahead. We’re coming off some active conditions — strong to severe thunderstorms are possible across the Mid-Ohio Valley today, with damaging winds, heavy rain, and hail as the main threats. There’s even a chance for an isolated tornado on Saturday.

Behind a strong cold front, we’ll see frost and freeze concerns for multiple nights this coming week. Expect much cooler, below-normal temperatures through Tuesday. Protect tender plants and newly planted seeds if needed — row covers or old sheets can be lifesavers.

A warming trend should start on Wednesday and carry through the rest of the week, giving us a nice window to get back outside and into the garden.

Mark your calendars for Friday, April 10th — that’s West Virginia Arbor Day! 

What better way to celebrate than by planting a tree? Trees improve our landscapes, provide habitat, and help the climate right here in the region. Choose a native species suited to our soils and conditions for the best long-term success.

Also on Friday, we’ll be in the Last Quarter Moon phase — often called a “barren time” in traditional gardening. This is a great window for turning your compost pile and working the soil rather than direct seeding or transplanting above-ground crops.

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Before we wrap up, a couple of quick reminders from our friends at Bob’s Market.

All Bob’s Market locations are now open for the season. Head over to bobsmarket.com to check individual store hours and see what’s fresh in stock.

And if you’re looking for some spring inspiration, join us for the Spring Color Tour of Bob’s massive greenhouse facility this Saturday, April 11th at 2 PM in Mason, West Virginia. You’ll get a guided behind-the-scenes tour, enjoy snacks, and there will even be door prizes. It’s a fantastic way to kick off the growing season — I hope to see you there!

That’s it for this week on the Keep Growing Podcast. 

Remember: even with the ups and downs of April weather, keep planting, keep learning, and most importantly — keep growing.