Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
If last week's glimpse of spring made you start to yearn for warmer temperatures, now is a great time to think about starting your garden.
Growing your own vegetables can reduce stress, save money, and help you eat local. If you've been to the grocery store lately, you know that produce is priced at an all-time high. Much of the produce in Portland stores right now comes from out of state, like California or Mexico.
Portland is a great place to grow a garden, as evidenced by the popularity of gardening in the city. March is the start of our Northwest planting season. With our generally temperate climate, Portlanders are able to plant different things year-round. Between the rain and the relatively high temperatures, there's never a bad time to start a garden, even if you haven't done so before.
Getting Started
First, if you haven't planted a garden before, you need to pick a spot to plant. Look for places where the soil is healthy and not too rock, and where you can consistently get good direct sunlight. This may mean planting in your front yard or the side of your house to maximize sun exposure.
Think about using planters or boxes to help you organize your garden and reduce weeds. Be sure they have appropriate drainage.
To make your garden successful, you need to focus on getting your plants or seeds into the ground at the right time. Planting seasons and timelines are different in Portland compared to other parts of the country. There can also be differences between seeds and plants that do well in Portland compared to other parts of the state due to micro climate differences.
It's too early for summer crops, but hardier plants can thrive in your garden right now. It can still be a little frosty in the morning, so keep an eye on the weather report and be sure to cover any newly planted items to protect them until they are farther along.
Regardless of whether you have gardened before or not, you should start by focusing on soil preparation.
If you did a lot of mulching for the winter, you should definitely remove some of it. Leave some in place, but avoid having so much mulch in place that the soil cannot begin to warm. Some mulches, like composted organic materials, can simply be turned into the ground to feed the soil. Solid organic materials like bark chips are best removed.
If your soil has a lot of clay in it and it's still super wet, you might want to cover it for a few days to help dry it out, or wait until we have a couple of dry days (if ever).
Pacific Northwest gardening experts recommend that you till in about half an inch of organic material to your soil as well as adding some organic fertilizer to the ground where you are going to plant your garden. Things like manure and compost can make a great addition to the soil.
It's not too early to think about pests. Slugs and cutworms are particularly active at this time of the year, and they love to eat your greens. Aphids can also make themselves at home in your garden in the spring. Talk to your garden center about food-safe pesticide options that can keep the bugs from breeding and spreading in your garden.
What to Plant in Portland in March
Here's your guide to what you should plant in your Portland garden now, and what you should start sprouting indoors. Be sure that you buy seeds and starts that are specifically tailored to the Pacific Northwest climate. Many of the national companies offer seeds that are better suited for other areas of the country, not Portland.
Start as Seed Indoors: Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Eggplant, Leeks, Lettuce (all types), Peppers, Scallions, Tomatoes, and Tomatillos. Be sure to have plenty of light; if your house doesn't get several hours of direct indoor sunshine, consider purchasing a grow light to help keep your seeds healthy.
Start as Seed Outdoors: Arugula, Asian greens, Asparagus, Chard, Cilantro, Choi, Fava Beans, Garlic (cloves), Kale, Mustard greens, Peas, Potatoes (tubers), Scallions, and Spinach. If you're at a higher elevation in the Portland area, you may want to build a cold frame to help protect the seeds in case of late-season frost.
Plant Starts to Get in the Ground: Artichoke, Arugula, Asian greens, Broccoli, Cabbage, Chard, Choi, Cilantro, Green onions, Jerusalem Artichoke, Kale, Lettuce (all types), Mustard greens, Onion, Peas, Salad greens, and Spinach. Climate appropriate starts are available at nurseries and garden stores.
Remember that there is a wealth of gardening information online. Most of your local nurseries and garden stores also can offer expert advice to help you make your Portland garden a success.
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