Lettuce Pro Tip: when your lettuce bolts in hot weather, cut it back down to the base. Within a month, you'll have an entire new head of lettuce. The root system is already developed, so the leaves grow extremely fast. We often purchase the hydroponic lettuce heads with the roots intact, then cut the head off and plant the roots, works like a charm, everytime. It's also a great way to recycle and reuse the plant a second time
it will survive all summer right? i saw a video of a guy that had a bunch and he said it was 100 F. im highly interested in this because we are turning to market gardening next season. any additional information would be highly appreciated
@@bleedblue769It can survive depending. If you have it well established and good root system it can. Lettuce doesn’t like heat that much, certain types like it more. I highly recommend an area you can have partial /shade.
@@davidmgilbreath I replant green onions all the time after I eat the greens, works great. Celery works great too. It's just another way to utilise what you can eat and regrow the plant into more food. Lettuce does not like heat, so if it's hot in your area, plant it in the shade/partial shade. I live in Ontario Canada, so what works for us might not work well in your area
A lettuce tip that was successful for me when I lived in Connecticut was to scatter lettuce seeds in the garden on top of a late winter snow that I thought might be the last snow of the season. The lettuce knew when to "wake up."
Beet greens are delicious and were one of my most favorite childhood vegetables. Steam them then serve them just as they are. We are always told that dark green leafy vegetables are some of the most important veggies, and beet greens surely qualify as one of them. They have a lovely sweet flavor.
This is EXACTLY what I needed! Please, please do one for each month. That is just what I need to get going, a month by month or even week by week guide. Thank you!
Funny... in all the gardening material I watch on youtube..this man and his trifecta are a legend...I am super surprised that he only has one million subs
I think it’s because Luke is like that secret awesome swimming spot you find and treasure so much you want to keep it secret and not share with anyone else lol I know I do 😂 sorry my bad I say my favorite RUclips gardener says this lol I’ll share Luke only with those people I really love I’m a little selfish but there’s some things in life I need just for me and this is it 😂 I hope I’m not a bad person lol
I am so glad I have found you!!! We are in Grand Rapids MI and I am so tired of trying to find gardening tips for our weather! Oh sure, I have plenty of people who tell me tips but they are all old tips that basically say "too early" or "too late". But your info is modern and up to date and friendly to my climate! I will be doing much more gardening this year so I can reduce my grocery bill and help give my kids new responcibilities for the summer months. They need to get outdoors and start to understand the beauty of our wonderful state! Thank you for all you outdoor Michigan help, I really appreciate it!
I'm not sure how many people who watch this channel live in the West Memphis area but the conversion in my experience to when Luke plants is about 2 months early. So if Luke plants something in March, we should plant in January.
I’m in Nashville and it’s my 3rd year gardening. I guess I’m late now cuz I just started planting here mid March 🤷🏻♀️. But think I’ll try late Jan early Feb next year for some of these crops I want to grow. I knew when I started it would take me 5 yrs just to be a decent gardener. But I’m enjoying it so much. I just got my worm farm up and going. I’m trying to learn to have nutrient dense foods with OUT chemical fertilizers. Not there yet though. All the best neighbor 👍😊
Yes! Sorrel! Not many people know about it in the states. As a russian girl i grew up eating lots of delicious sorrel soups and mom would make fried sorrel pies… ahh! Growing it this year via winter-sowing for the first time, so excited! Sorrel soup, here i come!
Definitely add Cilantro to this list. I hadn't even intended to plant it last year but the previous year's had gone to seed and those seeds fell and sat all winter in 0 degree temperatures and come spring there was Cilantro sprouting up everywhere. Some green onion seeds I had planted in the previous September also came up in spring as well. The seeds of both experienced -6 F degrees at one point yet still sprouted the following spring.
I've had cilantro , carrots ,calendula , and arugula all winter under row covers . These are the crops I grow in winter here in the southern Appalachians ,by April these will bolt every time. I don't even try spinach any more.
I have relatives who swear by storing their seeds in plastic bags in the freezer before the next planting season. I might have to experiment with that idea. Take a particular plant seed and store half in the freezer and see if there is a difference in germination
My mother was a master gardener. She would grow cabbage, carrots, squash etc…. She always would leave cabbage and parsnip after the frost. Tender and sweet she’d say. My mother raised 8 children from her garden. Even though she’s gone here legacy continues. So we have growing in and out of the house. I like your videos because it explains germination simply. Thank you so much.
Lol loved the look on your face when you realized you forgot to mulch the rest of the garlic. Gardens grow sometimes in spite of us! It’s nice to see an experienced gardener can still make mistakes. Love your channel
I’m planting potatoes on tomorrow in grow bags🥰. I started seeds on Saturday and many are sprouting already. I’m a crocheter and decided to add a textile to the garden. I planted cotton to spin into yarn after learning that Michigan isn’t one of the illegal to grow states. Some states are illegal due to the eradication of the boll weevil. The seeds germinated beautifully and I can’t wait to spend next Winter spinning yarn and crocheting dish cloths that I started from seed. Best wishes 🥰.
I let my radishes continue to grow last year throughout the summer because it's a great flea beetle trap crop for me. One of the best outcomes of leaving radishes in to fully mature are the DELICIOUS seed pods. I'll be growing radishes this year for the pods alone.
Thank you for this video. I’m from PA and this is my 3rd year gardening. I keep learning more and more from videos like this (and from gardening mistakes) lol.. I got my garden ready beginning of march. I planted my garlic in the fall and just now planted onions, green onions, spinach, kale, beets, radish, lettuce, and carrots. I never knew some of these vegetables didn’t do well in summer (explains my mistakes) but now I know once I harvest these cold hardy crops I can replace those spots with summer vegetables.
@@sherireuther3047 hey neighbor. I'm in Toledo. Spent this past warm weekend cleaning the garden. I'll bet you did too! Onions and cabbages are under grow lights. Planted herbs indoors yesterday.
@@rebeccakaczmarek5598 hello. I don’t have a real garden but I will put in some large container gardens this year. I just love to grow things. God bless you Rebecca.
BEETS BEETS BEETS!!! It was a happy accident to learn how huge and delicious over-wintered beets. They were in a low tunnel and an amazing surprise come spring.
I purchased my Utah Tall celery seeds from MI in 2019. They have never failed germination yet! I over sowed thinking their germination rate would slow down and now I have 30 celery starts 😂 Great quality seeds. Thank you!!
Thank you Luke for providing information that is truly useful. I watch other gardening channels but they aren't in Michigan and they have totally different weather conditions than me. You, even though you're a tad bit warmer than here in Waterford, provide information I can actually use.
I'm in Lansing, Michigan and I learned a few years ago that red veined sorrel is a perennial here. I love the lemon-y flavor! I enjoy it as 1 of my first spring fresh foods every year! Thank you for the guidance. I knew I wanted to get my peas and spinach planted in the garden asap, but this is VERY helpful and confirms my suspicion that I could actually plant MORE!
I watched this last March and you got me to try planting radishes. I have been planting for 15 years, but never anything early. You just widened my growing season and my family was so excited to have fresh veges so soon! I will say they thought I was crazy when I started the seeds!!! Thank you!!!
I'm going to try sowing lettuce seeds in the snow as someone here suggested. Important thing if you do direct sow the seeds when it's cold you have to make sure that the soil stays moist at the time they're (invisibly) germinating or the seeds won't survive long enough to sprout. One complete dry out is all it takes to kill a seed that's begun germinating.
I love watching these because I’m in Texas and we basically don’t have a spring. We go from a light winter to summer 🤣 so I try to do cold weather crops in the fall and overwinter.
Snap and Snow Peas are another seed you can plant early. I plant them in the spring as soon as the spoil thaws. This way I get a longer harvest before the weather gets warm.
We have some French Sorrel plants that are about 20 year old perennial plants now. They are already beginning to grow young spring leaves here in Southern Ontario, and can typically be harvested beginning in May, continuing into June. In July-August they tend to be a bit more beat up from the heat, and then they pick back up against in September-October.
Greetings from New Zealand. I originally started growing beetroot for the leaves. At the end of the season, I would give the beetroot root away. It was years before I finally developed a taste for the beetroot root.
Thank u. I'm in Madison WI and constantly been telling my dad who taught me for 40yrs doesn't believe me when I have told him I have only grown seeds for radishes, kale, spinach, lettuce, Marigolds, zinnias etc and I unfortunately grew only seeds so the abundance of seeds I saved I experimented with and this is exactly true!! It's hard to believe by the actual standard of growing. But ty!
Thank you Luke, for all the information you so passionately share. I’ve been recovering from surgery and am just now starting to walk, (surgery was Nov 4th, total foot reconstruction surgery) I look out my window and see my garden area and wish I could go out there and sow seeds. Watching your videos is like good medicine for me 😊😊😊 I can’t wait to garden. 💚💚💚
Hi. Just wanted to encourage you in your recovery. I was in your same boat last summer...had foot surgery, off of it for 9 weeks, and I was so sad that I could not be in my garden after I had planted and worked in it for all of April and May. My husband had to water every day for me, and he is not an outside person. I started PT in October and I am almost running again. So I hope that you will keep your chin up and know that it will get better!! God bless you!!
@@summerofstacey6676 Thank you so much!!!💜💜💜 I haven’t been able to do anything since July!!! My surgery was in November and I’m just now bearing weight on it. I know I’m pushing myself more than I should and I’m starting to pay the price for it. So my body wins, I have to sit down more and not take as many baby steps as I have been doing. PT is slow going. I’m told I’m not responding as they’d hope and like 🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️ So for now, videos it is 🤣🤣🤣 I can’t imagine having to eat store brought food!?!?! This is going to be interesting, if I can’t grow our food. I keep praying for a miracle. My hubby is disabled and counts on me growing our food for our health. Spirit will help us and make a way, I know it 🥰🥰🥰💚💚💚
@@moonchildgarcia8999 just keep taking it one day at a time and trust in the LORD’s provision for you! And it’s ok to take a rest day or more if you need it. But be sure and write down all the wins in your journal so you can look back and see how far you’ve come. Keep praying and trusting and really cry out to God. He loves you so so much. 🌺
LOVE this video, thank you so much!!! I thought the only thing I could start early were radishes!! Now I have a whole list of things I'll be starting NOW - thank you!!
Thanks I’ve got my seeds in sight and the info I have from you will get me busy. Didn’t know I could have better success by the early planting. 🙏🏻 you made my day. 🇨🇦
I'm still eating kale from last year the leaves were smaller but still good and now that it's warming up the leaves are getting bigger it has been my inspiration
🥦🍅🥬🧅WOW, Luke‼️I just noticed you have OVER A MILLION SUBSCRIBERS❗️Well done fellow gardener, you deserve this & I’m so happy for you. Your expert tips, while remaining so humble, has helped an incredible number of people. You’re the REAL DEAL & thank you for your excellent channel.
I'd love an update of the plants you say you can plant early. I tried it this year for the first time. But it would be so cool to see how yours are for reassurance. 🤪😂🤣🥰
Congrats on the million! Thank you for this!!! I'm in Ontario, Canada and Winter was long, hard and depressing. I keep looking in the backyard longing to get my hands in the dirt and thinking I have to wait until May. I've started some seeds inside but had no idea I could start them outside! Eeeek so excited to hit the dirt!
I’m also in Ontario, in Ottawa and we just got snow this morning, but it’s already gone this afternoon with the rain. I can’t wait to start gardening but the snow piles in the flower beds have only just melted away! Waiting….!
@@trishmurphy1941 I’m in Owen Sound and last frost date is usually around the third week of May for my area. I’m starting to plant stuff now though. I finished getting my beds ready and I’m planning on planting lettuces, kale and radish tomorrow.
I guess my question is how much before the last frost date is safe? One week? Two weeks? Candace Tarbat….have you planted this early before or just going by the “things to plant in April” headline. I don’t want to plant and lose everything.
@@trishmurphy1941 yes the last two years I have planted in April. I’ve done carrots, potatoes, radishes, beets, different greens, celery. I wait until the last frost date to plant tomatoes and peppers which don’t do well in the cold. Kale, radishes and celery grow well in the cold. I was still harvesting them last November.
I’m in East Texas, and we are experiencing a cold front this weekend. I have some pepper, lettuce, tomato, and green onion seedlings I plan on getting outside next week. I also have some fig trees I intend to plant next week.
I am going to give it a try. I have plenty of seeds from the grab bag you sold me a few months back. I saw your storefront today when passing by! Ate lunch at Nicky D?s Burgerz in Port Huron. Visited the Blue Water Conf. Center for the camper show.
Oh my gosh, Thank You for the learning. I now realized why my carrots have always been so small. Clearly they needed more growing time. Luke Thank you for shipping your seeds to Canada. I have placed 3 orders and they all showed up. I appreciate all that you do :)
Hey Luke, I purchased flower seeds last week, your seed selection was very good I should have shopped your site first. I got seeds from a well-known seed company 3 packs plus shipping was all almost 24 dollars. I got many more from you for a more affordable price. I know next time where I'm going to shop. I'm in Ohio by the lake zone 6 so I'm going to start seeds soon started a few petunia seeds and marigolds everything is happy.
Great, just in time. Was going to start many of these inside... I will try both and see what works, as well as trying out my new greenhouse!! Thanks for all you do Luke😁
I too live in Michigan, and followed all of your videos on growing vertical tomatoes, I have a 25 X 3 foot area, wow was it impressive, besides all we ate and gave away, I canned 56 qts for winter, I topped my plants when they hit my gutters, I staked them just like you with 8 foot 1x3, my family could not believe it, last year I expanded my garden with a new 12x12 foot area, I am all in with the outdoor garden, we saved a ton of money not buying lrg can of tomatoes, I make chilli and pasta sauce all the time, I thank you for your wealth of knowledge, and keeping us updated through out the growing season, hats off to ya sir, I will be picking up trifecta plus, I have only used miracle grow in the past, with good luck, thanks for sharing. All the best to you and your family.
I need gardening help. I found your channel. Hopefully I can grow a good garden this year. I have to get my ducks out of my garden area. Or fence them out.
Here in New Hampshire with 3" of new snow. Something green is coming up beautifully in one of my raised beds. I wish I could remember what it was that I planted there last fall. (could be mache) Whatever it is, it doesn't mind the snow and it's doing really well! 💙💛
I started some radish and lettuce seeds the other day and now I already have seedlings growing but it has been getting hot here in the south ranging from 70 to 80 degrees with a few cool days in between. my lettuce is looking good I'm letting it enjoy the cool night temps. also my 1st year to get mint to germinate so I'm super excited I have pineapple, lemon, peppermint and chocolate mints that germinated.
Broccoli raab/rapini is truly great stuff. The young leaves are a great tender green, the bud stalks are fantastic used as with regular broccoli, and the more mature leaves are also a good cooking green. It does bolt eventually, but even then the bees go nuts for the beautiful flowers, after which it can self-seed and your fall crop will grow right in the same place. The red sorrel is a real treat. Personally, I use it more as an accent in cooking because the mature leaves get very tough, so I just have one clump of it rather than a big area planted. In the mid-Atlantic, it can die back in the midsummer heat but comes back in the late summer & fall.
I love this channel. I live in a similar climate and like growing vegetables like you, so all your content is relevant and always helpful. Much appreciated, and congrats on a million subs! You deserve it 100%
Parsnips, Beets, Radishes, Spinach, Kale, Mache, Lettuce, Swiss Chard, Sorrel, Celery, Carrots, Broccoli Rabe, Onions, Potatoes. Thank you! For those gardening in dry, hot heat: My failure to mulch around garlic may be why my garlic in this arid southwest died every year. I am trying it in different locations before giving up on it -- as I find mini-climates are key to each crop in this dry, hot region -- but so far no luck. Maybe mulching will be the key. I started our seedlings weeks ago & transplanted the most cold-hardy seedlings outdoors. Our early spring is full of warm days with cold & sometimes freezing nights, off and on. You never know what to expect. I keep the seedlings covered during colder temps with a glass jar & two bed sheets spread over the bed. If the temp during the day won't climb up to 35 degrees or higher during the day, I leave the jars & bed sheets on during the day too. If the temp doesn't rise above 30degrees for 3 consecutive days, I can lose the seedlings if they're too young unless I add a source of heat or further cover like a plastic tarp laid on top of the sheets. A wireless thermometer under the covers allows me to keep track of the temperature. I have to get a super-quick jump on them, otherwise the soon-coming heat will make raising them impossible. Last year I had a raised, exposed bed with improved soil + consistent daily watering. I grew Chard & Lacinato Kale successfully exposed to the hot sun until the temps became hot, 93degrees +. Then, to shade the plants, I placed filmy white gauze curtains on a frame over the plants and they continued well into the year. When the super hot weather struck, I used a 30% reduction shade cloth + the layer of curtains over the plants. The lettuce & mustard continued under this shade longer than expected. That was a record for me to grow greens of any kind in this heat. (FYI-The curtains were on the windows of our house when we bought it. We didn't want them but we held onto them until I found this use for them.) The arid heat is not the only problem we have here. Insect pests love the dry heat, especially aphids, squash bugs & leaf hoppers, numbering in the millions, plus fungus & mold. It feels like it's not fair to have so many strikes against us! It's a challenge, I tell you, but we've been able to enjoy some great crops, including watermelon. If all goes well, this year the bed will have a plastic cover + a fan + the 30% reduction shade cloth. We're improving our in-ground 10x10 garden area now (surrounded by 10'x10' chain link dog kennel panels), tilling in soil improvements. The movable panels allow us to remove the "garden fencing" as needed to gain access more easily for things like tilling & keeps the dog from digging in the cooler soil. My cantaloupe crop grew up the chain link panels last year. Across the top of this sturdy structure, we will place cross pieces to hold up more shade cloth + shade cloth tied onto the chain link panels on the hottest side panels. Even under this shade cloth, the plants get lots of sun in our area. It can get close to 100 degrees underneath the shade cloth on no-wind, really hot days. We've carefully selected which crops to grow in this area but I'm gaining confidence to branch out a little bit. Another problem is how quickly the soil dries out. The shade cloth helps reduce the rapid evaporation somewhat. Every little bit of help makes the difference for us. I've even sprayed the ground with products designed to help soil absorb water and hold onto it. It worked real well.
I absolutely love mâche; it's my favorite salad green. The late-fall crop I sowed last year is nearly ready to harvest, so a succession crop is going into the soil this week. And yes, sorrel is a must-have in my garden, I agree with you. So is borage, so delicious chopped and added to cucumber salad. Its blossoms are edible too (and taste of cucumber), and bees love it.
Looks like mine that I planted in the fall overwintered here in southern Ontario, as cold as it was. It's still a little small but hopefully I can harvest in April or early May?
@@Lochness19 I live in a very mild climate in Southwest Germany but I know it's amazingly frost-resistant even up north. When temperatures get a little milder it'll pick up speed. Just harvest on days that are frost-free, else it'll get limp and soggy once indoors.
Awesome video! I was just going through my seeds today trying to figure out what I could direct set now. I got lettuce, spinach, parsley, arugula, sorrel, dock and carrots in. I want to try direct sowing onions which I read you can do with radishes. It’s weird to me we don’t consider it gardening season until Mid-May when so many things need to be started much earlier. I like to plant things in containers this time of year so I have a little more control over moisture and can cover them if I feel the need. We can get a lot of rain here in the spring; I don’t like to be out in the summer plot walking around compacting the soil and messing things up. I planted my garlic in a flower bed last fall, and it’s popping up.
I just said yesterday I need to figure out what I can start planting now. We're expanding the garden this year so this is perfect! Thank you for sharing. I think I actually already have most of the seeds you suggested as well! Seriously cannot wait to eat all the yummy fresh garden goodness. The prices at the stores are insane so this is a huge help for maintaining my health. Always look forward to your videos. Thank you. ~Jamie
Sorrel... Heck yes! Love its green apple flavor. When leaves get big, I'd spread some almond butter and chopped green apple, then roll them up. Amazing, but I've not had luck finding plants or seeds for sale.
One thing about radishes you did not mention is that young seed pods can be eaten. They are a lot like snow pea pods and the flavor is mild tasting radish.
I watch your videos all the time but only just now got super excited when you mentioned SORREL!!!! IF YOU KNOW YOU KNOW. I migrated from the Caribbean and never thought to grow sorrel! Ty!
Love red vein sorrel! One thing I don't like about it is how invasive it is. So be sure to plant it where you want it. Definitely spreads and comes back yearly. Also grows well in shade.
Perfect timing, as usual. I'll be trying broccoli rabe and sorrel. Everything else is on my list. My snow, snap, and shelling peas are all coming up, and I'm excited. Great video!
Thank you it’s my first garden this year I am getting out tomorrow morning and planting all but parsnips don’t know what they are lol only growing what we eat and doing in abundance hoping to get enough to feed my family 🥴 everyone telling me don’t expect success 🤷♀️ anything will be blessing
Lettuce Pro Tip: when your lettuce bolts in hot weather, cut it back down to the base. Within a month, you'll have an entire new head of lettuce. The root system is already developed, so the leaves grow extremely fast. We often purchase the hydroponic lettuce heads with the roots intact, then cut the head off and plant the roots, works like a charm, everytime. It's also a great way to recycle and reuse the plant a second time
it will survive all summer right? i saw a video of a guy that had a bunch and he said it was 100 F. im highly interested in this because we are turning to market gardening next season. any additional information would be highly appreciated
@@bleedblue769It can survive depending. If you have it well established and good root system it can. Lettuce doesn’t like heat that much, certain types like it more. I highly recommend an area you can have partial /shade.
East Texas 100 plus degrees for weeks in August till September.
Even with shade cloth I doubt it. BTDT
Would this work with onions?
@@davidmgilbreath I replant green onions all the time after I eat the greens, works great. Celery works great too. It's just another way to utilise what you can eat and regrow the plant into more food. Lettuce does not like heat, so if it's hot in your area, plant it in the shade/partial shade. I live in Ontario Canada, so what works for us might not work well in your area
A lettuce tip that was successful for me when I lived in Connecticut was to scatter lettuce seeds in the garden on top of a late winter snow that I thought might be the last snow of the season. The lettuce knew when to "wake up."
Nice! I might have to start sowing my lettuce around the same time as my poppies.
My phone
Yet another proof that lettuce is more in tune with the universe than my teenager.
@@richm5889 🤣🤣
lettuce needs light to germinate as well
Beet greens are delicious and were one of my most favorite childhood vegetables. Steam them then serve them just as they are. We are always told that dark green leafy vegetables are some of the most important veggies, and beet greens surely qualify as one of them. They have a lovely sweet flavor.
super-high oxalate - beware!! it's not good.
@@leavesofchangeit's totally fine, especially if you're not consuming a bunch of animal products with uric acid and excessive calcium.
Parsnips, beets, radish, spinach, kale, mash, lettuce, Swiss chard, sorrel, celery, carrots, sprouting broccoli, onions, & potatoes. Happy growing in 2022 all.
10 Years, 1Million Subs. You worked hard for it and give us plenty of good info!
This is EXACTLY what I needed! Please, please do one for each month. That is just what I need to get going, a month by month or even week by week guide. Thank you!
Wow, congrats on near 1 mill subs. You have earned it. Great content & spirit.
Funny... in all the gardening material I watch on youtube..this man and his trifecta are a legend...I am super surprised that he only has one million subs
I think it’s because Luke is like that secret awesome swimming spot you find and treasure so much you want to keep it secret and not share with anyone else lol I know I do 😂 sorry my bad I say my favorite RUclips gardener says this lol I’ll share Luke only with those people I really love I’m a little selfish but there’s some things in life I need just for me and this is it 😂 I hope I’m not a bad person lol
Never had a parsnip...what's it comparable to?
@@katkameo6413 consistency of a carrot, but more bland & sweet. So maybe like a lightly sweetened russet potato with smooth consistency of a carrot.
Everyone from MN is glaring across Lake Superior at you and your warm weather!
oldtimers used to spread lettuce seed on the snow on a sunny day, they would melt down into the snow and be watered in naturally.
I am so glad I have found you!!! We are in Grand Rapids MI and I am so tired of trying to find gardening tips for our weather! Oh sure, I have plenty of people who tell me tips but they are all old tips that basically say "too early" or "too late". But your info is modern and up to date and friendly to my climate! I will be doing much more gardening this year so I can reduce my grocery bill and help give my kids new responcibilities for the summer months. They need to get outdoors and start to understand the beauty of our wonderful state! Thank you for all you outdoor Michigan help, I really appreciate it!
I'm not sure how many people who watch this channel live in the West Memphis area but the conversion in my experience to when Luke plants is about 2 months early. So if Luke plants something in March, we should plant in January.
We're just 30 miles west of you, and that's my experience too!
Good to know. I’m in zone 8a
I’m in Nashville and it’s my 3rd year gardening. I guess I’m late now cuz I just started planting here mid March 🤷🏻♀️. But think I’ll try late Jan early Feb next year for some of these crops I want to grow. I knew when I started it would take me 5 yrs just to be a decent gardener. But I’m enjoying it so much. I just got my worm farm up and going. I’m trying to learn to have nutrient dense foods with OUT chemical fertilizers. Not there yet though. All the best neighbor 👍😊
Yes! Sorrel! Not many people know about it in the states. As a russian girl i grew up eating lots of delicious sorrel soups and mom would make fried sorrel pies… ahh! Growing it this year via winter-sowing for the first time, so excited! Sorrel soup, here i come!
Definitely add Cilantro to this list. I hadn't even intended to plant it last year but the previous year's had gone to seed and those seeds fell and sat all winter in 0 degree temperatures and come spring there was Cilantro sprouting up everywhere. Some green onion seeds I had planted in the previous September also came up in spring as well. The seeds of both experienced -6 F degrees at one point yet still sprouted the following spring.
I've had cilantro , carrots ,calendula , and arugula all winter under row covers . These are the crops I grow in winter here in the southern Appalachians ,by April these will bolt every time. I don't even try spinach any more.
In 7B northern Alabama, my cilantro has been fantastic all winter long
@@maxinemcclurd1288
Is there a specific month when arugula tastes best?
Gosh, I’ve had my cilantro only come up when it’s warm...
I have relatives who swear by storing their seeds in plastic bags in the freezer before the next planting season. I might have to experiment with that idea.
Take a particular plant seed and store half in the freezer and see if there is a difference in germination
My mother was a master gardener. She would grow cabbage, carrots, squash etc…. She always would leave cabbage and parsnip after the frost. Tender and sweet she’d say. My mother raised 8 children from her garden. Even though she’s gone here legacy continues. So we have growing in and out of the house.
I like your videos because it explains germination simply. Thank you so much.
Beets, radishes, spinach, kale, mache, lettuce, sorrel, celery, carrots, broccoli rabe, onions, potatoes
Lol loved the look on your face when you realized you forgot to mulch the rest of the garlic. Gardens grow sometimes in spite of us! It’s nice to see an experienced gardener can still make mistakes. Love your channel
I’m planting potatoes on tomorrow in grow bags🥰. I started seeds on Saturday and many are sprouting already. I’m a crocheter and decided to add a textile to the garden. I planted cotton to spin into yarn after learning that Michigan isn’t one of the illegal to grow states. Some states are illegal due to the eradication of the boll weevil. The seeds germinated beautifully and I can’t wait to spend next Winter spinning yarn and crocheting dish cloths that I started from seed. Best wishes 🥰.
That sounds so fun to grow your own cotton and make yarn. They really would be a homemade item!
Thank you for sharing the reason why. It was my first question! Good luck with your cotton plants. I hope you get amazing yeilds!
That’s wild! Wishing you the best! 😁
be sure to come back and show your progress!
@@zhippidydoodah will do😊.
I let my radishes continue to grow last year throughout the summer because it's a great flea beetle trap crop for me. One of the best outcomes of leaving radishes in to fully mature are the DELICIOUS seed pods. I'll be growing radishes this year for the pods alone.
The pretty radish flowers are edible, too. I grow a few in with cukes and squash as companions.
Thank you for this video. I’m from PA and this is my 3rd year gardening. I keep learning more and more from videos like this (and from gardening mistakes) lol.. I got my garden ready beginning of march. I planted my garlic in the fall and just now planted onions, green onions, spinach, kale, beets, radish, lettuce, and carrots. I never knew some of these vegetables didn’t do well in summer (explains my mistakes) but now I know once I harvest these cold hardy crops I can replace those spots with summer vegetables.
there are no mistakes in gardening , only experiments
I have also tried all these at the wrong times before... I can't wait to see the difference this year with these tips!
This video came just in time. I was thinking about what I can start here in Michigan now! I'm so ready to get in the garden 🌱
Me too. I’m down by Ohio, In Temperance. I went to Home Depot 4 days ago and couldn’t help but buy numerous seed packets. Can’t wait.
Saw someone say morels are popping up in Michigan. Don't know for sure not my area.
@@sherireuther3047 hey neighbor. I'm in Toledo. Spent this past warm weekend cleaning the garden. I'll bet you did too! Onions and cabbages are under grow lights. Planted herbs indoors yesterday.
@@rebeccakaczmarek5598 hello. I don’t have a real garden but I will put in some large container gardens this year. I just love to grow things. God bless you Rebecca.
@@sherireuther3047 potatoes are so fun to grow in pots!
No wonder my radishes didn’t do well and immediately went to seed! I’ve never planted this early but now you’ve changed my mind!! Thank you!
BEETS BEETS BEETS!!! It was a happy accident to learn how huge and delicious over-wintered beets. They were in a low tunnel and an amazing surprise come spring.
I purchased my Utah Tall celery seeds from MI in 2019. They have never failed germination yet! I over sowed thinking their germination rate would slow down and now I have 30 celery starts 😂 Great quality seeds. Thank you!!
Thank you Luke for providing information that is truly useful. I watch other gardening channels but they aren't in Michigan and they have totally different weather conditions than me. You, even though you're a tad bit warmer than here in Waterford, provide information I can actually use.
same for me here in Buffalo.. He is usually a week or two ahead of us here..
I'm in Lansing, Michigan and I learned a few years ago that red veined sorrel is a perennial here. I love the lemon-y flavor! I enjoy it as 1 of my first spring fresh foods every year! Thank you for the guidance. I knew I wanted to get my peas and spinach planted in the garden asap, but this is VERY helpful and confirms my suspicion that I could actually plant MORE!
Jackson here. Love I found a Michigan gardener. Makes it much easier with our crazy weather 😜
@@lauriewebb9357 Hello all from Westland.
I watched this last March and you got me to try planting radishes. I have been planting for 15 years, but never anything early. You just widened my growing season and my family was so excited to have fresh veges so soon! I will say they thought I was crazy when I started the seeds!!! Thank you!!!
I did learn something. Now to get to work in my garden. Thank you for sharing.
I planted garlic and shallots in February, and I am seeing sprout coming up. I am so excited.
I'm going to try sowing lettuce seeds in the snow as someone here suggested. Important thing if you do direct sow the seeds when it's cold you have to make sure that the soil stays moist at the time they're (invisibly) germinating or the seeds won't survive long enough to sprout. One complete dry out is all it takes to kill a seed that's begun germinating.
I love watching these because I’m in Texas and we basically don’t have a spring. We go from a light winter to summer 🤣 so I try to do cold weather crops in the fall and overwinter.
you will make a million fast with food prices like this... this one blew my mind I would not even think of planting now
Snap and Snow Peas are another seed you can plant early. I plant them in the spring as soon as the spoil thaws. This way I get a longer harvest before the weather gets warm.
As always, love your enthusiasm Luke ❤️ y’all, Kristy in Missouri zone 6b 😃🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Parsnips, Turnips, and Rutabagas !! Love them !
We have some French Sorrel plants that are about 20 year old perennial plants now. They are already beginning to grow young spring leaves here in Southern Ontario, and can typically be harvested beginning in May, continuing into June. In July-August they tend to be a bit more beat up from the heat, and then they pick back up against in September-October.
Where did you get them? I'm in Southern Ontario aswell and last year I count find them
@@sarahgoodwin3337 I don't remember, although several of the seed catalogues I've been browsing have seeds.
Greetings from New Zealand. I originally started growing beetroot for the leaves. At the end of the season, I would give the beetroot root away. It was years before I finally developed a taste for the beetroot root.
Thank u. I'm in Madison WI and constantly been telling my dad who taught me for 40yrs doesn't believe me when I have told him I have only grown seeds for radishes, kale, spinach, lettuce, Marigolds, zinnias etc and I unfortunately grew only seeds so the abundance of seeds I saved I experimented with and this is exactly true!! It's hard to believe by the actual standard of growing. But ty!
Thank you Luke, for all the information you so passionately share. I’ve been recovering from surgery and am just now starting to walk, (surgery was Nov 4th, total foot reconstruction surgery) I look out my window and see my garden area and wish I could go out there and sow seeds. Watching your videos is like good medicine for me 😊😊😊 I can’t wait to garden. 💚💚💚
Hi. Just wanted to encourage you in your recovery. I was in your same boat last summer...had foot surgery, off of it for 9 weeks, and I was so sad that I could not be in my garden after I had planted and worked in it for all of April and May. My husband had to water every day for me, and he is not an outside person. I started PT in October and I am almost running again. So I hope that you will keep your chin up and know that it will get better!! God bless you!!
@@summerofstacey6676
Thank you so much!!!💜💜💜 I haven’t been able to do anything since July!!! My surgery was in November and I’m just now bearing weight on it. I know I’m pushing myself more than I should and I’m starting to pay the price for it. So my body wins, I have to sit down more and not take as many baby steps as I have been doing. PT is slow going. I’m told I’m not responding as they’d hope and like 🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️ So for now, videos it is 🤣🤣🤣 I can’t imagine having to eat store brought food!?!?! This is going to be interesting, if I can’t grow our food. I keep praying for a miracle. My hubby is disabled and counts on me growing our food for our health. Spirit will help us and make a way, I know it 🥰🥰🥰💚💚💚
@Mlgardener
I don’t understand the WhatsApp part of your message??? 🤷🏽♀️🤷🏽♀️🤷🏽♀️🤣🤣🤣 what’s that for???
@@moonchildgarcia8999 just keep taking it one day at a time and trust in the LORD’s provision for you! And it’s ok to take a rest day or more if you need it. But be sure and write down all the wins in your journal so you can look back and see how far you’ve come. Keep praying and trusting and really cry out to God. He loves you so so much. 🌺
@@summerofstacey6676
💖💖💖 YES!!! 😍😍😍
I think this is the earliest I've ever caught one of your videos lol. The itch is real doing so much pre planting work 😁 favorite time of the year
Needed to hear this, especially now in march. Thanks for staying at this, I've come to go straight to your videos whenever I have a question.
Mar 28 am ready to put my potatoes and peas in. It’s 20c but better than snow and rain! Happy gardening! 🇨🇦
LOVE this video, thank you so much!!! I thought the only thing I could start early were radishes!! Now I have a whole list of things I'll be starting NOW - thank you!!
Hi! Kentucky here. I started my seeds early.❤
Thanks I’ve got my seeds in sight and the info I have from you will get me busy. Didn’t know I could have better success by the early planting. 🙏🏻 you made my day. 🇨🇦
I'm still eating kale from last year the leaves were smaller but still good and now that it's warming up the leaves are getting bigger it has been my inspiration
Thanks! Perfect timing. Hello from Idaho.
Great information! Thank you! It looks like I'm going to be adding a few more varieties to my garden this year!
You are SOOO enthusiastic . Love you Bro!!!! God bless you and yours and your garden!!!
Luke, loved listening to you!
🥦🍅🥬🧅WOW, Luke‼️I just noticed you have OVER A MILLION SUBSCRIBERS❗️Well done fellow gardener, you deserve this & I’m so happy for you. Your expert tips, while remaining so humble, has helped an incredible number of people. You’re the REAL DEAL & thank you for your excellent channel.
I'd love an update of the plants you say you can plant early. I tried it this year for the first time. But it would be so cool to see how yours are for reassurance. 🤪😂🤣🥰
Congrats on the million! Thank you for this!!! I'm in Ontario, Canada and Winter was long, hard and depressing. I keep looking in the backyard longing to get my hands in the dirt and thinking I have to wait until May. I've started some seeds inside but had no idea I could start them outside! Eeeek so excited to hit the dirt!
Where are you in Ontario? I’m in Peterborough,and wondering how much before the last frost date I can get started.
I’m also in Ontario, in Ottawa and we just got snow this morning, but it’s already gone this afternoon with the rain. I can’t wait to start gardening but the snow piles in the flower beds have only just melted away! Waiting….!
@@trishmurphy1941 I’m in Owen Sound and last frost date is usually around the third week of May for my area. I’m starting to plant stuff now though. I finished getting my beds ready and I’m planning on planting lettuces, kale and radish tomorrow.
I guess my question is how much before the last frost date is safe? One week? Two weeks? Candace Tarbat….have you planted this early before or just going by the “things to plant in April” headline. I don’t want to plant and lose everything.
@@trishmurphy1941 yes the last two years I have planted in April. I’ve done carrots, potatoes, radishes, beets, different greens, celery. I wait until the last frost date to plant tomatoes and peppers which don’t do well in the cold. Kale, radishes and celery grow well in the cold. I was still harvesting them last November.
I’m in East Texas, and we are experiencing a cold front this weekend. I have some pepper, lettuce, tomato, and green onion seedlings I plan on getting outside next week. I also have some fig trees I intend to plant next week.
I am going to give it a try. I have plenty of seeds from the grab bag you sold me a few months back. I saw your storefront today when passing by! Ate lunch at Nicky D?s Burgerz in Port Huron. Visited the Blue Water Conf. Center for the camper show.
Thanks man great info here and appreciate it
Thank You cheers from Pennsylvania 🙏🙏🙏🙏🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👍👍👍
Oh my gosh, Thank You for the learning. I now realized why my carrots have always been so small. Clearly they needed more growing time. Luke Thank you for shipping your seeds to Canada. I have placed 3 orders and they all showed up. I appreciate all that you do :)
Hey Luke,
I purchased flower seeds last week, your seed selection was very good I should have shopped your site first. I got seeds from a well-known seed company 3 packs plus shipping was all almost 24 dollars. I got many more from you for a more affordable price. I know next time where I'm going to shop. I'm in Ohio by the lake zone 6 so I'm going to start seeds soon
started a few petunia seeds and marigolds everything is happy.
Thanks Luke. I live in southeast Tennessee. With this information you just put me way behing in my garden.
Great, just in time. Was going to start many of these inside... I will try both and see what works, as well as trying out my new greenhouse!! Thanks for all you do Luke😁
I too live in Michigan, and followed all of your videos on growing vertical tomatoes, I have a 25 X 3 foot area, wow was it impressive, besides all we ate and gave away, I canned 56 qts for winter, I topped my plants when they hit my gutters, I staked them just like you with 8 foot 1x3, my family could not believe it, last year I expanded my garden with a new 12x12 foot area, I am all in with the outdoor garden, we saved a ton of money not buying lrg can of tomatoes, I make chilli and pasta sauce all the time, I thank you for your wealth of knowledge, and keeping us updated through out the growing season, hats off to ya sir, I will be picking up trifecta plus, I have only used miracle grow in the past, with good luck, thanks for sharing. All the best to you and your family.
I need gardening help. I found your channel. Hopefully I can grow a good garden this year. I have to get my ducks out of my garden area. Or fence them out.
Great episode! Thanks for the reminder of what we can start in early spring! Congrats on 1 Million! I love your channel!
New subscriber, love your content keep it coming!
Your positive attitude and cheery disposition motivate me to get back into the swing of gardening!
I took a blow torch to the dried weeds in my gardens raised beds. Easy clean up. Ready to plant.
I love your channel! Your tips last year made my garden the best ever! 1 million here we come!!!
Hi I just wanted to say thank you you’re helping me a lot. I live in Yakima Washington.
Here in New Hampshire with 3" of new snow. Something green is coming up beautifully in one of my raised beds. I wish I could remember what it was that I planted there last fall. (could be mache) Whatever it is, it doesn't mind the snow and it's doing really well! 💙💛
I started some radish and lettuce seeds the other day and now I already have seedlings growing but it has been getting hot here in the south ranging from 70 to 80 degrees with a few cool days in between. my lettuce is looking good I'm letting it enjoy the cool night temps. also my 1st year to get mint to germinate so I'm super excited I have pineapple, lemon, peppermint and chocolate mints that germinated.
I wish we had those temps! Still cold here in Oregon. This year I also plan on growing some chocolate mint!
Thank you for another superb video! I now know exactly when to do the first transplant.
Broccoli raab/rapini is truly great stuff. The young leaves are a great tender green, the bud stalks are fantastic used as with regular broccoli, and the more mature leaves are also a good cooking green. It does bolt eventually, but even then the bees go nuts for the beautiful flowers, after which it can self-seed and your fall crop will grow right in the same place.
The red sorrel is a real treat. Personally, I use it more as an accent in cooking because the mature leaves get very tough, so I just have one clump of it rather than a big area planted. In the mid-Atlantic, it can die back in the midsummer heat but comes back in the late summer & fall.
I love this channel. I live in a similar climate and like growing vegetables like you, so all your content is relevant and always helpful. Much appreciated, and congrats on a million subs! You deserve it 100%
I've been sowing carrots in March here in Michigan for the last 3 years and have had much better germination.
Parsnips, Beets, Radishes, Spinach, Kale, Mache, Lettuce, Swiss Chard, Sorrel, Celery, Carrots, Broccoli Rabe, Onions, Potatoes. Thank you!
For those gardening in dry, hot heat: My failure to mulch around garlic may be why my garlic in this arid southwest died every year. I am trying it in different locations before giving up on it -- as I find mini-climates are key to each crop in this dry, hot region -- but so far no luck. Maybe mulching will be the key.
I started our seedlings weeks ago & transplanted the most cold-hardy seedlings outdoors. Our early spring is full of warm days with cold & sometimes freezing nights, off and on. You never know what to expect. I keep the seedlings covered during colder temps with a glass jar & two bed sheets spread over the bed. If the temp during the day won't climb up to 35 degrees or higher during the day, I leave the jars & bed sheets on during the day too. If the temp doesn't rise above 30degrees for 3 consecutive days, I can lose the seedlings if they're too young unless I add a source of heat or further cover like a plastic tarp laid on top of the sheets. A wireless thermometer under the covers allows me to keep track of the temperature. I have to get a super-quick jump on them, otherwise the soon-coming heat will make raising them impossible.
Last year I had a raised, exposed bed with improved soil + consistent daily watering. I grew Chard & Lacinato Kale successfully exposed to the hot sun until the temps became hot, 93degrees +. Then, to shade the plants, I placed filmy white gauze curtains on a frame over the plants and they continued well into the year. When the super hot weather struck, I used a 30% reduction shade cloth + the layer of curtains over the plants. The lettuce & mustard continued under this shade longer than expected. That was a record for me to grow greens of any kind in this heat. (FYI-The curtains were on the windows of our house when we bought it. We didn't want them but we held onto them until I found this use for them.)
The arid heat is not the only problem we have here. Insect pests love the dry heat, especially aphids, squash bugs & leaf hoppers, numbering in the millions, plus fungus & mold. It feels like it's not fair to have so many strikes against us! It's a challenge, I tell you, but we've been able to enjoy some great crops, including watermelon. If all goes well, this year the bed will have a plastic cover + a fan + the 30% reduction shade cloth.
We're improving our in-ground 10x10 garden area now (surrounded by 10'x10' chain link dog kennel panels), tilling in soil improvements. The movable panels allow us to remove the "garden fencing" as needed to gain access more easily for things like tilling & keeps the dog from digging in the cooler soil. My cantaloupe crop grew up the chain link panels last year. Across the top of this sturdy structure, we will place cross pieces to hold up more shade cloth + shade cloth tied onto the chain link panels on the hottest side panels.
Even under this shade cloth, the plants get lots of sun in our area. It can get close to 100 degrees underneath the shade cloth on no-wind, really hot days. We've carefully selected which crops to grow in this area but I'm gaining confidence to branch out a little bit.
Another problem is how quickly the soil dries out. The shade cloth helps reduce the rapid evaporation somewhat. Every little bit of help makes the difference for us. I've even sprayed the ground with products designed to help soil absorb water and hold onto it. It worked real well.
This channel is the best I found so far, and I live in one of the coldest countries. It doesn’t make sense for me seeing how to grow in fancy weather.
Such a helpful video, thank you Luke! 1 Million, such a testament to the work and love you've poured in.
You talking about sorrel made me start to drool! I LOVE SORREL ❤️
MR HAPPY, you spread such joy! 😘
I absolutely love mâche; it's my favorite salad green. The late-fall crop I sowed last year is nearly ready to harvest, so a succession crop is going into the soil this week. And yes, sorrel is a must-have in my garden, I agree with you. So is borage, so delicious chopped and added to cucumber salad. Its blossoms are edible too (and taste of cucumber), and bees love it.
Looks like mine that I planted in the fall overwintered here in southern Ontario, as cold as it was. It's still a little small but hopefully I can harvest in April or early May?
@@Lochness19 I live in a very mild climate in Southwest Germany but I know it's amazingly frost-resistant even up north. When temperatures get a little milder it'll pick up speed. Just harvest on days that are frost-free, else it'll get limp and soggy once indoors.
Wanting to start early this year these are some great recommendations!
Im in north Dakota, so, i very much appreciate uour advice
Awesome video! I was just going through my seeds today trying to figure out what I could direct set now. I got lettuce, spinach, parsley, arugula, sorrel, dock and carrots in. I want to try direct sowing onions which I read you can do with radishes. It’s weird to me we don’t consider it gardening season until Mid-May when so many things need to be started much earlier. I like to plant things in containers this time of year so I have a little more control over moisture and can cover them if I feel the need. We can get a lot of rain here in the spring; I don’t like to be out in the summer plot walking around compacting the soil and messing things up. I planted my garlic in a flower bed last fall, and it’s popping up.
I just said yesterday I need to figure out what I can start planting now. We're expanding the garden this year so this is perfect! Thank you for sharing. I think I actually already have most of the seeds you suggested as well! Seriously cannot wait to eat all the yummy fresh garden goodness. The prices at the stores are insane so this is a huge help for maintaining my health. Always look forward to your videos. Thank you.
~Jamie
Sorrel... Heck yes! Love its green apple flavor. When leaves get big, I'd spread some almond butter and chopped green apple, then roll them up. Amazing, but I've not had luck finding plants or seeds for sale.
I’ve been gardening for a long time and you still manage to show me a better way when it comes to leaves ❤️ don’t catch cold we need ongoing input lol
You must be downstate. At the tip of the mitt here, we still have a good few inches, even after a rain and decent temps. Right behind you bud!!!
My sorrel - not red vein... has a lovely lemon crisp flavor. Refreshing green!!
I used to be subscribed but for some reason I wasn’t now 🤷🏼♀️ well I subscribed again !!!!
I still have 3ft snow pack 😢
Blessings
One thing about radishes you did not mention is that young seed pods can be eaten. They are a lot like snow pea pods and the flavor is mild tasting radish.
nice! better raw or sautéed?
@@chinupduck4849 I have never tried sautéed. The pods rarely make it to the house.
@@qunnahanderson3656 noted...gotta get that peck of dirt somehow!
MACHE is the very best! So fresh and delicious! Discovered it through Eliot Coleman🌿🌿🌿
I’m excited to start a garden this year.
Wow! I just found your yester years channel Larry's Tropical Plants 👍🏻
Started some of these inside. Will start some outside as well. Thanks!
I live in zone 8 and my cilantro, carrots, and some lettuce survived all winter long. Definitely adding celery today to my harpsichord and onion bed.
I watch your videos all the time but only just now got super excited when you mentioned SORREL!!!! IF YOU KNOW YOU KNOW. I migrated from the Caribbean and never thought to grow sorrel! Ty!
Love red vein sorrel! One thing I don't like about it is how invasive it is. So be sure to plant it where you want it. Definitely spreads and comes back yearly. Also grows well in shade.
Perfect timing, as usual. I'll be trying broccoli rabe and sorrel. Everything else is on my list. My snow, snap, and shelling peas are all coming up, and I'm excited. Great video!
Shoot I'm late on peas then!?!?
@@RebeccaKnight927 what I just thought !
I just planted a bunch of cilantro a couple weeks ago and it is do really well
I'm Missouri so I appreciate that midwest accent when he says "salary" instead of celery. So do I.
Thank you it’s my first garden this year I am getting out tomorrow morning and planting all but parsnips don’t know what they are lol only growing what we eat and doing in abundance hoping to get enough to feed my family 🥴 everyone telling me don’t expect success 🤷♀️ anything will be blessing