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Yes, it is still cold outside. Yes, there is snow and/or freezing rain, and/or sleet in the forecast. However, now is the time to get some seedlings started for the garden. We are devoting this issue of our newsletter to the promise of warmer weather and a bountiful garden for you and your family!
Nicholas Neboshynsky
Improvement Zone
(443) 221-4661
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Best Spring Planting Times for Annapolis
Crop
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Start Seeds Indoors
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Moon-favorable Dates
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Set Out Plants/ Start Seeds Outdoors
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Moon-favorable Dates
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Beans
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Apr 13-May 4
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Apr 13-15, Apr 29-May 4
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Beets
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Mar 23-Apr 13
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Mar 23-29
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Broccoli
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Feb 22-Mar 8
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Mar 1- 8
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Mar 16-Apr 6
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Mar 16, Mar 31-Apr 6
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Brussel Sprouts
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Feb 22-Mar 8
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Mar 1- 8
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Mar 8-30
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Mar 8-16, Mar 30
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Cabbage
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Feb 8-22
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Feb 8-14
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Mar 8-23
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Mar 8-16
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Carrots
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Mar 1-16
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Cauliflower
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Feb 22-Mar 8
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Mar 1- 8
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Mar 8-23
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Mar 8-16
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Celery
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Jan 25-Feb 8
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Jan 30-Feb 8
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Apr 13-27
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Apr 13-15
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Collards
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Feb 22-Mar 8
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Mar 1- 8
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Mar 8-30
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Mar 8-16, Mar 30
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Corn
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Apr 6-20
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Apr 6-15
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Cucumbers
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Mar 8-16
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Mar 8-16
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Apr 20-May 11
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Apr 29-May 11
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Eggplant
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Jan 25-Feb 8
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Jan 30-Feb 8
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Apr 20-May 11
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Apr 29-May 11
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Kale
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Feb 22-Mar 8
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Mar 1- 8
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Mar 8-30
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Mar 8-16, Mar 30
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Leeks
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Jan 25-Feb 8
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Jan 30-Feb 8
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Mar 8-30
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Mar 8-16, Mar 30
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Lettuce
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Feb 22-Mar 8
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Mar 1- 8
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Mar 23-Apr 20
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Mar 30-Apr 15
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Melons
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Mar 8-16
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Mar 8-16
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Apr 20-May 11
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Apr 29-May 11
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Okra
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Apr 20-May 4
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Apr 29-May 4
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Onion
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Mar 8-30
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Mar 17-29
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Parsnips
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Mar 16-Apr 6
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Mar 17-29
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Peas
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Feb 22-Mar 16
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Mar 1- 8, Mar 10-16
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Peppers
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Jan 25-Feb 8
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Jan 30-Feb 8
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Apr 20-May 11
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Apr 29-May 11
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Potato
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Mar 30-Apr 20
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Apr 16-20
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Pumpkins
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Mar 8-23
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Mar 8-16
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Apr 20-May 11
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Apr 29-May 11
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Radishes
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Feb 8-Mar 1
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Feb 15-28
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Spinach
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Feb 22-Mar 16
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Mar 1- 8, Mar 10-16
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Squash
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Mar 8-23
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Mar 8-16
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Apr 20-May 11
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Apr 29-May 11
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Sweet Potatoes
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Mar 8-16
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Apr 20-May 11
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Apr 20-28
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Swiss Chard
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Feb 22-Mar 8
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Mar 1- 8
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Mar 16-23
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Mar 16
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Tomatoes
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Feb 8-22
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Feb 8-14
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Apr 13-May 4
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Apr 13-15, Apr 29-May 4
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Turnips
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Mar 8-30
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Mar 17-29
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Watermelon
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Mar 8-16
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Mar 8-16
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Apr 20-May 11
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Apr 29-May 11
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Starting Seeds Indoors
- Team up with a neighbor for starting seeds, since a packet often yields much more than you will need.
- Don't start your seeds too early, especially tomatoes! Most annual flowers and vegetables should be sown indoors about 6 weeks before the last frost in your area.
- You may have to soak, scratch, or chill seeds before planting, as directed on packet.
- Use clean containers. Most seed catalogs offer seedling flats, peat pots, and other growing containers, but egg carton compartments make good containers, too. Be sure to poke holes in the sides near the bottom of the containers you use.
- Label your containers now! There's nothing more frustrating than forgetting what you planted.
- Fill clean containers with seedling mix. Use soilless peat moss and mix in equal parts vermiculite and perlite to hold enough water and allow oxygen to flow. Don't use potting soil.
- Pour soilless mix into a large bucket and moisten with warm water. Fill your containers to just below the rim.
- Plant your seeds according to your seed packet. Most seeds can simply be gently pressed into the mixture; you can use the eraser end of a pencil to push in seeds.
Seed Tip: When planting seeds, plant the largest seeds in the package to get the best germination rate.
- Cover containers with plastic. Prick holes with a toothpick for ventilation. Water as directed.
- Water newly started seedlings carefully. A pitcher may let the water out too forcefully. A mist sprayer is gentle but can take a long time. Try using a meat-basting syringe, which will dispense the water effectively without causing too much soil disruption.
- Find a place in the kitchen where there is natural bottom heat-on top of the refrigerator or near the oven. (Move the tray if the oven is on, as it may become too hot.)
- Seeds sprout best at temperatures of 65 to 75�F (18 to 24�C).
- When seedlings appear, remove the plastic and move containers into bright light.
- When the seedlings get their second pair of leaves, prepare individual pots filled with a potting mix with plenty of compost. Move the seedlings carefully to the new pots and water well. Keep pots out of direct sun for a few days.
Source: Old Farmer's Almanac (www.almanac.com)
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About Improvement Zone
Improvement Zone, LLC is a family-owned company catering to the discerning homeowner seeking quality home repair and maintenance work. Our ties to Annapolis reach back over 30 years and we are dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents of Anne Arundel County and the surrounding area. We strive to establish ourselves as the premier home maintenance company in the area through excellent workmanship and unparalleled customer service.
We have the knowledge, expertise and experience needed to make your home the best it can be. As we work with our customers, we offer that most precious commodity, the gift of time. We understand that superior customer service must be the center of our business and strive to exceed expectations every day.
Improvement Zone (443) 221-4661 [email protected] www.improvement-zone.com
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