...April/early May to start on the perennials. Annuals—Pansies, Snapdragons are fine now; the Pansies decline when it gets hot. The tender things (most annuals) shouldn’t go in until the ground warms and the chance of frost has passed. This is on average April 25th in the DC area—later to the north and west, earlier to the south and east of the city. I wait until May 1 or so in my own garden. You will not gain anything by planting early for two reasons: the chance of frost; and the plants will sulk and not grow in too-cold ground. Vegetables—cool-season things can go in: Broccoli, Radishes and most root crops, greens, etc. Wait until May 1 or later for things like Tomatoes, Peppers, Okra, Corn, Beans, etc. They like hot soil.

Let me know if you need any help with any of your gardening needs this year, including landscape design/installation/maintenance; patios/walks/walls; stone work; pots and container gardens; fencing; lighting; garden furniture and ornament; water features; irrigation, etc. etc. Most everything for the garden.

Occasional e-mails will continue from me to you throughout the year. Please let me know if you do not wish to receive these and I will remove you from the list. Feel free to make suggestions on topics in which you are interested and I’ll see about addressing them. Also, some of you have graciously consented to only receiving the newsletter via e-mail. This not only saves money, but also the paper it’s printed on. So let me know if you want to do that, too. And to reach me, e-mail is always the best way:
jeff@minnichgardendesign.com

Last year turned out to be a very successful year, thanks to you all. I appreciate your business more than I can say. It is a pleasure and a joy to work with you. I wish you a great gardening year, and fun during your spring and summer seasons.

Best regards,