Cindy Julian has already planted seeds of tomato, pepper and various herbs in containers, and will set seedlings outdoors in her Libertyville yard when the temperature is right, just as she has done for many years.
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But this year seems more important than ever for growing your own vegetables, she said. Now is the time to get some soil and seeds and start growing, she said, especially since — due to COVID-19 concerns — many of Lake County’s annual plant sales have been canceled.
These include the Lake County Master Gardener plant sale that was set for May 16 at the University of Illinois Extension Service in Grayslake, and the May 9 sale that was planned by the Gardeners of Central Lake County at the Crawford Warming House in Libertyville.
“In spring, we see so much promise,” said Julian, a board member of the garden club. “I think people are going to have a whole new appreciation of going outside,” and of growing their own vegetables.
“It’s amazing what one can do with putting just a little thought into it,” she said.
Experienced vegetable gardeners start their plants from seeds inside and transplant them outdoors when they’ve become seedlings and it’s warmer.
But those delving into vegetable gardening for the first time might do well to start with outdoor containers and small raised beds, according to local master gardeners. They suggest choosing plants that are easy to grow from seed, such as leaf lettuce, spinach, beans, carrots and various herbs.
“Beans are absolutely so easy,” Julian said. “And carrots are fun for the kids.”
Soil and sun
Kim Isaacson, horticulture program coordinator for University of Illinois Extension/Lake County in Grayslake, recommends using a soilless mix for vegetables grown in containers and raised beds. A soilless mix, which is not the same as potting soil, includes sphagnum peat moss along with compost and naturally occurring minerals such as perlite. Isaacson noted some soilless mixes now contain natural coconut fiber instead of sphagnum peat moss, which is rapidly being depleted from the wild. Soilless mix holds moisture and nutrients against the roots, Isaacson said.
“You do not want to bring your backyard soil in to your containers and pots,” she added. That practice encourages unwanted fungal growth. If planting seeds and seedlings directly into the ground, the soil needs to be tilled only when its dry and amended with compost first, she said.
Place vegetable containers where it’s sunny for at least six hours daily.
Lettuce, spinach and carrots
Plant spinach and leaf lettuce seeds directly outdoors in containers or raised beds four to six weeks before the last frost of the season, said Isaacson. The last frost is around May 15, so planting seeds can be done beginning in April, she said.
When the leaf lettuces and spinach reach about 5 to 6 inches, they can be cut off, leaving about 2 inches at the base so they can continue to grow and be harvested again.
Master gardener Pam Wolfe of Round Lake said she created a raised bed out of cinder blocks in her yard. “It’s where I put my lettuce, spinach and green onions – those are all very economical,” she said.
“It’s amazing how many things you can grow in containers,” said Wolfe, who worked in a greenhouse for many years at a local garden center. She recommends soaking seeds overnight in water before planting them. Water them and when they’ve become seedlings, gardeners can begin adding fertilize to the soil mix. She recommends organic and slow-release fertilizers.
“Container gardening is fun. You can have it right outside your back door patio or deck. You don’t have to depend on going to the store to get your produce,” she said.
Spinach and lettuce are cool-weather crops. They stop growing well when it gets hot, but seeds can be sown again in August for fall harvest, Wolfe said.
Carrots, beans, herbs
Carrots, on the other hand, grow well throughout the summer and even into autumn, she said.
“Carrots are easy to grow, and you don’t need to start them from seed inside,” Wolfe said. Place 8 or 9 inches of the soilless mix into a container, then plant the seeds about two weeks before the last frost date, water them and watch them sprout.
Julian said beans are also easy to grow, and seeds can be planted outdoors after the last frost.
“To sow bean seeds is a fabulous thing to do with children because the seeds are big and easy to handle. The bounty is prolific,” Julian said.
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“You could grow pole beans in a big pot with bamboo stakes pushed into the soil. You can plant seeds around the bamboo stakes and they’ll climb up the vines as they grow. That would be fabulous.”
“Herbs are really simple,” she added. She buys basil, parsley, rosemary and thyme seeds and puts them in a big pot to grow.
“They’re so decorative and so pretty,” she said. “I have lots of basil plants. My family loves basil. I have about three different kinds of basil growing from seed.”
Basil and other herbs need warm soil and temperatures, Isaacson said. Even beginning gardeners can start herbs from seeds indoors in containers, making sure they get enough light. Then, when it gets warmer, they can be moved by the back door or on a porch where the can easily be retrieved.
Wolfe said she loves vegetable gardening because it affords her the chance to connect with nature.
“When you are growing your own food, you can’t help but be aware of all the amazing changes that occur from seed to mature plant and how precious pollination is to the whole process,” she said. “Growing my own food gives me a sense of empowerment and pride, and I love the beautiful, delicious results.”