Garlic and lettuce
One of the raised beds has garlic and a few heads of lettuce. When planting garlic make sure you break the bulbs apart and only plant one clove at a time. If not, then multiple little garlic bulbs grow instead of a nice big desirable garlic bulb. We planted them in the fall and they should be getting ready to harvest. When we planted them we covered them with a little mulch to help hold some moisture. The mulch also helps a little with protecting it from the frost. Garlic likes loose solid dirt. Plenty of sunlight and planted 2-4" deep 4-6" apart.
You can either direct sow lettuce seeds or start them in seed trays and transplant. However, once the lettuce seedlings have emerged, make sure to thin out or transplant them 4 inches apart for leaf lettuce, and 6-8 inches apart for Romaine and butterhead lettuce. Crisphead (iceberg) lettuce: should be 16 inches apart. Lettuce is a cool-season vegetable, thriving in temperatures between 45°F and 80°F. Plant in early spring or fall, avoiding the heat of summer. Choose a sunny location that receives at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. Prepare well-drained soil, rich in organic matter.Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry periods. Head lettuce: Harvest when the head is firm and compact. Loose-leaf lettuce, Harvest outer leaves as they reach a size suitable for eating. Do not plant lettuce near Brassicas (Cabbage Family) These plants secrete chemicals from their roots that can prevent lettuce seeds from germinating or stunt lettuce growth.
Onions:
Onions thrive in loose, well-draining soil, so loosen the top few inches of soil in your raised bed. ensure your soil isn't compacted, as this can hinder root growth. Plant onion bulbs in early spring, once the soil is workable and the danger of frost has passed. Plant the bulbs just deep enough so that the tops are barely covered by soil, or about an inch deep. Space the onion bulbs 6-8 inches apart in rows that are 12 inches apart. Water the newly planted onions gently, ensuring the soil remains moist but not soggy. Harvest onions when the tops start to yellow and fall over, usually 2-3 months after planting.
Celery
Celery seeds germinate best when started indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost, and then transplanted outdoors after the weather warms. Celery needs at least 6 hours of sunlight per day, but it also appreciates some afternoon shade. Celery is a thirsty plant and requires consistent moisture, so ensure the soil stays evenly moist, not soggy. Space celery plants 8-10 inches apart in rows, allowing for adequate growth and air circulation. Celery is a heavy feeder, so fertilize regularly with a balanced fertilizer or compost tea. Apply a layer of mulch (like straw or compost) around the plants to help retain moisture Harvest celery when the stalks are tender and crisp, usually 60-80 days after planting.
Harvest celery stalks by cutting them at the base, leaving the remaining leaves to continue growing.
Carrots
Carrot seeds are best sown directly into wherever they are being grown as transplanting can damage the roots easily Plant carrot seeds about 1/4 inch deep. Space carrot seeds about 2-3 inches apart in rows that are 12-18 inches apart. Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the first few weeks after planting, to encourage germination. Consider planting chives, garlic, onions, leeks, or shallots near carrots, as these plants can help keep away pests like carrot flies. Once the seedlings emerge, thin them out to the recommended spacing listed above to prevent overcrowding.
Basil:
Transplant basil once the soil has warmed up and the risk of frost has passed. Dig a hole that's twice as wide and as deep as the root ball, Basil thrives in full sun (6-8 hours daily), but in hot climates, provide afternoon shade. Gently loosen the root ball: Before removing the plant from its container, gently loosen the root ball by running your fingers around the edges or tapping the container.
Remove the plant: Carefully lift the plant out of the container, holding the root ball gently. (This is why I love the burpee seed starter trays because the silicone pushes through and lets roots out easily)Dig a hole that's slightly larger than the root ball Gently slide the root ball into the hole, ensuring it's at the same level as it was in the container. Fill the hole with the surrounding soil, gently firming it around the plant. Water the plant gently, ensuring the soil is moist but not waterlogged. Water regularly: Basil needs consistent moisture, especially during hot weather. Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture and suppress weeds if in the ground. Fertilize the plant with a balanced fertilizer every few weeks. Regularly pinch back the tips of the basil to encourage bushier growth. Harvest basil leaves regularly to encourage continued growth and prevent the plant from going to seed.
Thyme:
Transplant thyme seedlings outdoors after the last expected frost in your area has passed. Before transplanting, gradually acclimate the seedlings to outdoor conditions by exposing them to increasing amounts of sunlight and wind for a week or two. Select a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Thyme prefers full sun, but can tolerate some light shade.
make sure the soil is well-drained, as thyme doesn't tolerate wet conditions. Space thyme seedlings 6-12 inches apart, depending on the variety and how quickly you want them to fill in the space.
Carefully remove the seedlings from their containers, gently loosening any roots that may be circling the root ball. Make holes that are twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth. making sure the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Gently fill the holes back with soil, firming it around the base of the plants. Water thoroughly to settle the soil and encourage root growth. Pinch off the growing tips of upright varieties to encourage bushier growth.
Prune thyme plants regularly to maintain their shape and encourage new growth. Harvest thyme leaves as needed, but avoid removing more than one-third of the plant at a time.
Cilantro:
If you want to grow cilantro, it's best to sow seeds directly into the ground or containers where you want them to grow. Cilantro develops a strong taproot, making it difficult to transplant without damaging the roots. The stress of transplanting can trigger cilantro to bolt (go to seed) prematurely, resulting in fewer leaves and more flowers. If you start cilantro indoors, use biodegradable pots so you can plant the entire pot (with the roots intact) directly into the garden bed. Plant cilantro early in the season, when the weather is cool, to avoid bolting. Ensure the soil is consistently moist, especially after transplanting. Regularly harvest cilantro leaves to encourage continued growth and prevent bolting. Cilantro can be a good companion plant for other herbs like basil and parsley. While cilantro can tolerate crowded conditions, make sure there is enough space for the plants to grow. Some varieties of cilantro are bred to resist bolting, which can help extend the harvest period. Mulch the soil to help keep it cool and moist, which can also help prevent bolting.
Oregano:
Transplant oregano in the spring, once the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed. Oregano thrives in full sun (6-8 hours of sunlight per day). Choose a location with well-draining soil, as oregano doesn't tolerate soggy conditions.
Allow 8-10 inches of space between plants. Dig a hole that's wide and deep enough to accommodate the oregano plant's root ball, allowing room for growth. Gently remove the oregano plant from its container, taking care not to damage the roots. If the roots are tightly packed, gently tease them apart to encourage outward growth. Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the first few weeks after transplanting. Water the newly transplanted oregano plant thoroughly, ensuring the root zone is well-soaked. Once established, you can harvest oregano leaves for cooking or drying.
