The Garden Planted on Good Friday

Remember the garden that I planted on Good Friday?  I wanted to update you on it’s progress and give you a little background on it.  I always try to plant on Good Friday but that does not always work out.  I work a full time job like a lot of you probably do.  Also Good Friday does not come at a good time of the year every year.  This year it was fairly early and some years it comes fairly late.  If you live in North Dakota Good Friday may not be a “good” day to plant your garden.  Here in South Carolina we are fairly safe in April to plant.

My grandfather also recommended planting some other plants on Valentines Day.  I am guessing that neither one of the days, Good Friday or Valentines Day have anything to do with the actual holiday so don’t get confused by that.  I have read though that there is some evidence to planting on Good Friday.  The actual day is chosen in relation to the moon each year.  It is explained here how they determine it:      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Friday

Anyway I did decide to plant some cold weather plants.  Especially since I did miss Valentines Day all together.  Everything I read suggested potatoes for this time of year.   Especially since the whole Good Friday planting time came from folklore related to the moon.  The thinking was that root plants do better because of the strong gravitational pull of the moon.  So just call me a moon planter!  https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/02/garden/planting-by-the-full-moon-bright-idea-or-lunacy.html    I really think there is something to it.  So I did plant some sweet potatoes, lettuce and cabbage.  I also know that I get real tired of my garden by August so I have learned to plant some other things that will make me happy when I look at it. I tried to pick some flowers that will bring me  some joy the rest of the year.

I also planted Ranunculus, just because I absolutely love them.  I know they will not survive our hot summer but I can enjoy them for a short time.  I mean aren’t they absolutely gorgeous?  I did plant some flowers that will take our heat as well.  A few Dianthus, as well as some Salvia, added to my blueberry bushes.

Over the years my blueberry bushes have not produced much.  I am expecting them to do better this year.  I have rabbits and have tried to make good use of their litter around my bushes.  They are loaded with blueberries and if they survive through July we should have a good crop this year.

Well I do not know for sure yet if my planting on Good Friday will make much of a difference in my garden.  There are somethings that I do know will make a difference though and you probably know them as well.

Water

• When you first plant your garden don’t let it dry out.  I prefer to wait on the rain but it no rain is coming give it a good drink every other day right now while it is still cool.

 Fertilizer

• I do not like to use commercial fertilizer.  My land slopes downward and drains into a swampy area.  So I try to use my bunny litter with good mulch around my plants.  The blueberries have a good bit of litter at the base of the bush.  I have also added hay that has cooled off after being in the hen house.  That is usually all that I put out there.

 Sunshine

• This is very important for certain types of vegetables.  For instance Tomatoes need at least 6 hours of sun a day.  So where you plant certain vegetables is a consideration.  Lettuce and cabbage do not mind a little shade and in our zone will thrive longer in some shade.https://www.bhg.com/gardening/vegetable/vegetables/planning-your-first-vegetable-garden/ 
• The tags on plants from the garden center can really be helpful about this as well. They often recommend on the tag how many hours a plant needs, and seed packages also tell you how much sunshine a plant needs.  Both plants come with a lot of information.

Spacing 

• This is also important when planting your garden.  You don’t want to plant a pumpkin or sweet potato trying to spread its vines in the middle of your okra.  This is another place that the seed package or plant’s tag can come in handy.  Both places will have some recommendations of there and it is important to follow them.

Stakes or Cages 

• Now is the time to put these out as well.  If you wait till your tomato plant is 2-4 feet tall you will regret it.  I have done that before and it can be a disaster.  Be creative in what you use, you do not have to buy fancy tomato cages.  I use bamboo because some insane person planted it years ago on my property and it is plentiful.  I also use old tomato cages saved year after year and wire fencing that is still around.

The season for a garden doesn’t last long.  Some areas are shorter than others.  It can be a very therapeutic hobby believe it or not.  Picking the plants, planning where they are going to be planted, digging in the dirt and them planting them is fun.  Then you get to enjoy watching them grow and taking good care of them.  I hope you give it a try.  I will keep you posted about mine.  Honestly, Janet