it over), you can plant seeds for several vegetable varieties: snap peas, broccoli, carrots, lettuce, kale and other greens, to name a few. However, if you see a lot of cool, wet weather ahead, you may want to hold off for a few more weeks. If the freshly planted seeds become too wet, they may rot, and leave you waiting for seedlings for weeks, only to realize they are never going to sprout. You can always check on your seeds by digging up one or two and looking for fresh growth. If the seed has turned to mush, it’s no good and you should replant.
And what about the cold hardy crops? Which are easy to grow?
A lot of this depends on your soil, and the weather. And because of that, there are a few things I would recommend you NOT attempt your first year, unless you’re absolutely set on the idea. Some cole crops (which are cold-hardy crops) can be very temperamental. Due to the Island’s tendency for a sudden change from spring to summer (like, literally, one day it’s freezing and the next we’re at the beach), crops (like broccoli, rapini, cauliflower, cabbage, and others) may have a tendency to bolt if the weather gets too hot too quickly – leaving the whole plant woody and bitter. So much of the success of a cold-hardy crop depends on weather, that I often don’t bother with many of them. However, if you’re invested in the idea, just be sure to pay close attention to the plant, water it lightly yet regularly, and shelter it from the hot midday sun when possible. In lieu of these trickier brassicas, I would try snap and shell peas, beets, and even radishes for early sowings. These vegetables are a little less sensitive to the heat and have a great payoff when harvest time arrives. Hot tip: when planting snap peas, look for the “stringless” types, such as the “Super Snap” variety from Veseys. Who wants a stringy pea when you can have a NOT stringy pea?
If you don’t have time to do tons of early spring weeding, then perhaps carrots aren’t the best choice for you.
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www.pei-living.ca SPRING 2021
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