Spring Gardening is beginning to start and I reached out to our neighborhood horticulturist Tenisio Seanima who teaches “Garden Like a Boss” on Saturdays at the Artsxchange and is also the Horticulturist for the City of East Point Tenisio.
I asked Seanima about the best time to set up new plants or flowers. He spoke about our growing zone 8A for central Georgia providing conditions to grow food year-round. If you’re planting cabbage, lettuce, kale, or onions you’re good to go right now. For other varieties, you might want to keep seedlings inside to avoid late freezes. In a few weeks, you can plant your nightshade varietals such as eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes.
When you have older potted plants such as geraniums or ferns, is it necessary to refresh the soil beyond adding eggshells or coffee grounds? Seanima explains that you need to refresh pots and beds. Gardeners should add nutrients to enriched soil every season.
Asked about plant hacks to keep critters away from flowers and veggies, Seanima again explains that keeping a plant healthy will keep parasites away. He also shares a few companion plantings that help. Planting lenten roses will protect hosta plants from deer. Planting marigolds with tomatoes will keep away hookworms.
For more information on Gardening Like a Boss at the Artsxchange.