HelpfulGardener.com

Is anyone else besides me a tad twitchy about starting seeds this year? Last year I started some things indoors...but well, my cats foiled that plan. I ended up doing everything in-ground and really it ended up great. I plan to do most things in-ground again this year except for a couple things which I plan to start as soon as I get my timers which should arrive any day now because I'm far too ADD to switch lights on and off myself.

ANYWAY I'm in zone 6b-ish/7a. Last year I put in strawberries, lettuces on April 11th. Though I'm thinking of starting some things a little earlier this year considering its been a perpetual spring/fall and unseasonably warm the whole time.

This is a poor misrepresentation of my garden plans that I made on microsoft paint:
[img]https://inlinethumb15.webshots.com/41358/2805855360062041520S600x600Q85.jpg[/img]

Of course it's totally not to scale and all, but it gives you some idea. "H" are herb pots, the "L" is my potted lemon tree. Corn is going in a different area of the garden that is not pictured.

I'm worried that it might get too warm too quickly for some of the cool weather stuff....

Edit to add:
Hmmmmmm.....our local co-op that's been around for 90yrs just posted that their broccoli, cabbage, collards and lettuces just arrived.....maybe it's time to actually plant soon..................

Last week I planted cool weather veggies(Kolrabi, spinach, collards) & some root vegetables(onions, carrots) bunch, yellow, white & red onions

Then it snowed last night. Most should be okay.
I like to start early & experience tells me these type of plants can handle the weather.

The only things I have direct-sowed now are onions, kale, chards, and garlic (which I started from cloves in the fall). I have given up on growing spinach. It never works out. Same with broccoli and cauliflower. 2cents has me thinking about putting my collard and carrot seeds in now.

I'm trying to be patient and wait until closer to the the traditional last frost date for other stuff. It's really tempting this year, but I have a feeling that we'll get a deep freeze before the winter is over. We just can't predict the weather but history is a pretty good guide, in my humble opinion.

It really is tempting! I see the 10-day forecast and nothing is freezing for 10 days...but I'm sure it'll throw me a curb ball some time. I am preparing the beds now as I'm opening up some new areas...but I'm just itching to put some things in the ground. I got to truck home some horse manure from the barn (not fresh stuff - no worries - nice, rich black gold!) and mix that in and stuff. I can't wait to start growing.....My strawberries are already pushing UP past the pine needles that I put over them this past fall. I'm kind of using them as a cue too...if THEY are saying "lemme out!" then....I can plant....right?