I know it's a bit early to call it spring, but things are certainly greening up around my house. The weather getting in the 60's and nearly 80 today means that everything in my yard believes it's come to stay.
While I know that there's undoubtedly a quick cold snap coming with the end of Feb/beginning of March, there's no doubt I've already begun to pull out seed packets and pods. My kids are ready for sprouts!
Since it's just around the corner no matter where you are, here's a list of things that are ready to start sprouts in our area* for February. Some of these will repeat in the coming months as they can be started within a window of time depending on your area's schedule.
Horseradish
Carrots
Broccoli
Cabbage
Brussels Sprouts
Swiss Chard
Beets
Radish
Lettuce
Kale
Mustard
Turnips
Irish Potatoes
Onions
English Peas
Spinach
Now things at the top of the list are the first to be done, and working our way down the list means working those things into the ground (or seed starter pots) closer to the end of the month. I realize this is nearly the end of February so I'm going to list the March list in a couple of days so you can begin working on that list as well!
I will start my sprouts indoors as I have not completed building the beds I've planned yet for this year and my kids really enjoy watching them in the mini greenhouses. If you plan to start yours outdoors, please remember that each has it's own depth to be planted and requirements for both space and soil. Also remember to keep an eye on the weather reports! Frost zones can make a big difference in your planting schedule. Our zone isn't in the clear from frost until mid March so we do not plant outdoors until after then.
*This information was issued by the UofA's Division of Agriculture and is based on the zones B and C for Arkansas. My area falls in the middle of these two (A-Pulaski County) and thus I follow it fairly closely. You can find out more from this group on their website.
