Preparing for spring planting
By Rachel Totten
March 12, 2023

With spring just around the corner, it’s time to start preparing for new landscapes and gardens.

In addition to basic planning, right now is the perfect time to begin tending to your garden beds with some weeding and light mulching. Abby Stanley, retail manager at Stanley’s Greenhouse, 3029 Davenport Road, said it’s also a good time to begin planting hardy plant material, including trees, shrubs and perennials.

“That being said, you have to make sure those plants have been hardened off,” she explained. “If they were greenhouse grown, they'd need to be acclimated to the colder temps first.”

Many cool season vegetables like cabbage, broccoli and greens can be planted, as well. However, Stanley added, it’s best to wait until after East Tennessee’s average last frost date of April 15 to plant your summer annuals.

As weather in East Tennessee can be especially unpredictable, gardeners will need to be mindful of protecting their plants in the case of freezing temperatures.

Stanley said this can be done by covering your garden overnight with a sheet or other type of cloth and securing the sides so it cannot be blown away. The covering should then be taken off the next day, as the weather warms up.

“Essentially, you want to create a greenhouse situation to trap in heat,” she said, noting that plants should be covered in the afternoon before the freeze is expected but while there is still warmth in the air. “If the sun is out though, you don't want to cover too early, which could potentially burn the plants.”

It’s important to note that gardening is a learning process that consists of trial and error, Stanley said. As a result, patience is vital.

“If something doesn't work out don't get discouraged,” she said. “Plants take time to get established, and that is part of their beauty.”

Fortunately, there are various resources available for novice gardeners to utilize, such as local garden clubs and Facebook groups. Stanley’s Greenhouse, also holds free education seminars on Saturdays that cover different plant topics.

On Saturday, March 18, for example, the seminar will focus on “Solving the Garden Design Puzzle,” while a children’s seed planting workshop will be held the next Saturday, March 25.

For more information or to register for an event, visit stanleysgreenhouse.com.