BDN speaks with Fitzgerald on starting a last-minute summer garden
The Bangor Daily News interviewed Caragh Fitzgerald, an associate extension professor and gardening expert with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, for an article on planting a last-minute summer garden. Beginning a garden toward the end of spring is possible, but requires specific strategies for success, the article states. Fitzgerald recommends consulting the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association’s planting calendar, which lists faster-growing and heat-loving plants that will have optimal results when started in mid-June, including green beans, radishes, beets, cilantro and dill, among others. She also gave specific tips for growing carrots, lettuce and tomatoes and adapting to challenges that arise when they are planted later than is ideal. “With any seedlings, when you’re moving from indoors to outdoors, you need to give them some time to harden off,” said Fitzgerald. “Get them gradually used to being outside, with stronger sunlight and drying winds. Get them accustomed to being outdoors before you put them in the ground.”