Get a Head Start

Manure can be spread over the garden now, especially on the asparagus and rhubarb beds.

Be sure that flats and pots used for starting seed are perfectly clean. Likewise, the soil should be clean and sterile.

Mark and label your sown seeds, indoors and out.

Water newly started seedlings carefully. A pitcher may let the water out too forcefully. A mist sprayer is gentle but can take a long time. Try using a meat-basting syringe, which will dispense the water effectively without causing too much soil disruption.

Give peas a chance. The earlier they mature, the sweeter they’ll be. Sow them right under the snow, if necessary, but save some for a later planting as well.

Spread dark plastic intended for mulch over the garden site to hasten the warming of the soil. This will provide for earlier and better germination.

Keep plastic milk jugs or other coverings on hand to protect the flowers of pansies.

Start seedlings of annuals in flats �?aster, larkspur, alyssum, and balsam should be started now (or six to eight weeks before the last frost date in your area). If your summer season is short, zinnias should be started now. They will need to be potted up in individual pots after four to five weeks.

Start some vegetables in flats now: Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, peppers, eggplants, tomatoes, and lettuce are good choices.