Tips for Raising a Garden in Illinois

In Illinois, farmers planted corn and beans in their fields about three weeks ago, fortunately beating the deluge of rain that occurred near the end of April and into May. According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Climate Data Center, as of April 25th, farmers in Illinois had planted 73 percent of their corn crop. (State of the Climate) Those who live near farm fields are already seeing plant growth of up to 6" high.

However, for Illinois gardeners spring garden planting usually begins around May 15, when the average date of the last frost for this area has passed. As it has rained almost every day across Illinois for the last two weeks, this could delay garden planting. Planting in wet soil encourages mold and fungus growth on plants. Additionally, the soil will dry into clods of concrete, preventing root growth.

Once the soil has dried enough (moist, but not wet), follow these tips for growing a healthy garden.

Pick a Spot

Most plants like sun and don't do well with wind, so gardens need to be planted in a spot where plants are protected from wind and receive 6-8 hours of sunlight. A spot facing south is usually the best. However, if you don't have a usable spot that receives this much sun, look for plants that favor shade. Make sure that you use good gardening soil and that the soil you plant in is not susceptible to mold, fungus, or disease. Call your local extension office or check with a reputable nursery for help in this area.

Buying Plants

Select plants without any signs of yellowing or browning as this could indicate insect or disease problems. To check for problems, gently remove transplants from their containers and check the roots. Roots should be white with visible soil. Look for insects such as whiteflies or aphids. Set your transplants outside in their containers to gradually introduce them to the outdoor environment over a period of days, especially plants grown and purchased in a greenhouse. When plants have three leaves they are generally ready to plant in the ground.

Prepare the Soil and Plant

Pick up a handful of soil to check for moisture content. If it crumbles easily between your fingers, it is time to dig, but if it forms into a ball, allow the soil to dry an additional couple of days. Follow the instructions that come with your plants for depth to plant and amount of space to leave between plants. If this is the first year you have planted in this area, have your soil tested by your local extension office.

Once plants are in the ground, water with a fertilizer that is high in phosphorus that helps to promote root development. The most common water-soluble starter fertilizers like 5-10-5, 10-52-17 or 8-32-16 should be used at the rate of one to two tablespoons per gallon of water. Use one to two cups of the fertilizer to water around the roots of the plant.

Monitor the Weather

Monitor the weather forecast every day. If plants, due to unseasonably warm weather, begin growth earlier than normal, they may get frost-bitten. Sometimes, they will bud again but many times they will die. Typically, the more mature a plant is, the better chance it will have for surviving. The best thing to do is try to protect plants from frost. If frost is predicted, cover newly planted plants before sunset with cardboard, blankets, row covers, burlap, linen, newspaper or bed sheets. Don't use plastic, vinyl, or metal as these materials trap moisture, which can encourage freezing.

Fabric allows moisture to escape, but still protects plants from frost. Bedsheets work well for larger plants, whereas, newspaper works well on low-growing sprouts.

If you have to use plastic, just be sure to remove it early in the morning. This allows warmer daytime air to reach the plants. However, if frost continues throughout the day, you will need to remove the plastic and cover with fabric. For those concerned about beauty, there are also commercial coverings designed to protect plants from frost. (What is the Best Way to Protect Plants from Frost)

Of course, if the weather is dry, you will need to water your plants to keep the soil moist. An easy way to determine how much water your garden needs is to set up a rain gauge in your garden. Apply water in the morning while it is still cool, or evening when not windy, the sun is less hot, and water loss through evaporation is minimal. This will avoid "cooking" your plants and will also allow water to evaporate. However, for some plants that are disease-susceptible, it is best to water in the morning to prevent root rot or fungus growth. Follow instructions that come with your plants or goggle disease-susceptible plants. Most plants require a minimum of an inch of water a week.

Weeding

For small gardens weeds can be removed by hand and/or with the help of a small garden tool. Gardeners with large gardens may use a hoe or manual-powered rotary cultivators. Although rotary cultivators are unable to get very close to vegetable plants without damaging the vegetables. Mulching will help to control weeds, and also help to keep perennial roots cool and moist. Those using herbicides should be sure to follow instructions. Overuse of herbicides can cause damage to plants, such as herbicide burn (see image).

The best way to weed is to moisten the soil so that it is damp. This makes weeds easier to pull.

Protecting from Pests

First, recognize that not all bugs are bad for your garden. For instance, bees help to pollinate flowers. Pesticides do not distinguish between helpful insects and damaging insects. It is best, rather than using pesticides, to pick plants that are disease resistant and plant a diversity of plants that are resilient to different pests.

Chicken wire can be used around plants to keep rabbits, rodents, and other small animals out of your garden.

Recyclable Products to Use in the Garden

Mesh bags that oranges and other produce come in work great for drying herbs and gourds.

Pantyhose can be used to enclose melons, corn, cabbage, cucumbers and small pumpkins to protect them from birds and insects. Tie the pantyhose off at both ends of the plant to keep insects out. As the plants grow, the pantyhose will stretch, drying off quickly after rain.

The cans can be removed after two to three weeks because the stems will have thickened enough to withstand any cutworm damage.

Butterfly Gardens

Choose an area that gets at least 6-8 hours of sun. Use dark colored rocks or boulders in the garden to provide a place for butterflies to light. Butterflies, in order to fly well, need to keep their body temperature at 85 to 100 degrees Farenheit. To do this, they will bask in the sun during cool weather to raise their body temperatures in order to fly well. Plant flowers that bloom throughout the growing season in large groups to attract butterflies. In Illinois, good plants for butterflies are the Butterfly bush, Purple coneflower, Joe-Pye weed, Black-eyed Susan and lantana. Other plants include zinnnias, bee balm, pentas, sage, butterfly weed or other milkweeds, lilac, sunflower, marjoram, and hebe.

Do not use insecticides in your garden! They will kill butterflies and caterpillars. (All About Butterflies, All About Butterfly Gardens)

Enjoy Your Garden & Share Your Bounty

Once your garden begins to bloom, remember to take the time to visit it and enjoy it. When produce develops, share with family, friends and neighbors. Still have excess produce? Don't discard it. One out of six Americans needs food assistance, but can't get fresh produce from the local food pantry. The AmpleHarvest.org campaign diminishes hunger in America by helping backyard gardeners share their excess garden produce with neighborhood food pantries. See their website at ampleharvest.org for more information.

Sources

All About Butterflies, http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/butterfly/allabout/

All About Butterfly Gardens, http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/butterfly/allabout/Garden.shtml

Ample Harvest, http://www.ampleharvest.org

State of the Climate Drought, April 2010, http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/?report=drought

What is the Best Way to Protect Plants from Frost, http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-best-way-to-protect-plants-from-frost.htm