Set Plants out Now -- Here is How

After months of saying “don’t plant yet,” now I say, ‘don’t wait any longer!” Here in the Denver area (zone 5), we’ve probably seen our last frost. In a few weeks, it will be in the 80s. By July 4, I bet we’ll see 100.

Plants from the greenhouse are used to warmth and humidity. A searing sun is a shock to them. To reduce that shock, harden them in a sheltered area, like a porch, for a few days. Plant them on a day that’s not too hot, preferably a cloudy day. Dig an oversized hole to give the roots plenty of room to grow. Amend the soil if needed. Water the plants well, but don’t make the soil soggy. Add some mulch such as pea gravel or wood chips over layers of newspaper. This will keep the ground from drying out, and keep the roots cool. Water the plants every few days for a few weeks; you can probably back off the watering after that. Keep an eye on them to make sure they’re doing well.