From the archives: LI gardeners put down roots at last

This story was originally published in Newsday on May 16, 2008

As Richard Schultz examined the leaves of potted basil plants in search of the perfect addition to his collection of tomatoes, peppers and string beans, other eager gardeners maneuvered two-tiered plastic carts through the aisles at Starkie Brothers Garden Center in Farmingdale.

They weren't alone. Across Long Island, gardeners both expert and novice stocked up recently on flowers, herbs and vegetables in preparation for yesterday - the first "safe" planting day of the season.

Traditionally, farmers used Memorial Day as a marker for the safest time to plant without fear of frost. But it isn't an exact science. The Old Farmer's Almanac listed yesterday as the starting date for such plants as tomatoes, peppers, carrots and kale.

Some nursery managers say the change may result from climate shifts, or just impatience. "With our lifestyles and sense of urgency as humans - and especially Long Islanders - we are pressured to have everything beautiful, finished and done before the summer events and holiday happen," said Jim Markham, manager of Starkie Brothers.

East End folks may need to be more careful than their counterparts in western Suffolk and Nassau, said Charles Marder, who with his wife, Kathleen, founded the nursery and garden shop Marder's in Bridgehampton three decades ago. "It depends on where you live," said Marder, an East Hampton resident. "As you get farther out east, the ocean is such a factor in terms of the air temperature. It keeps things cooler longer."

During the past two to three years, Markham said, he's seen a renewed interest in vegetable gardening, with more people interested in an organic, pesticide-free approach. Some customers are seeking a new hobby or have preferences for fresher-tasting produce, he said. Others seek an alternative to summer travel because of high gas prices.

Fear of environmental pollutants and pesticides, however, has prompted more people to pursue organic gardening. "Eventually, everyone's going to want to go organic," said Schultz, 70, of Massapequa.

GET THEM IN THE GROUND

Mid-May is the ideal time to plant most vegetables on Long Island. Here are some tips to consider before you plant them outdoors:

Select a location that gets at least six hours of full sunlight daily.

Test your soil. The ideal pH range for most vegetables is 6.2 to 6.8.

Look for varieties labeled as resistant to powdery mildew, rust and diseases.

Incorporate lime if indicated by your pH test, slow-release fertilizer (5-10-5 or 10-10-10) and a lot of compost to the top 6 to 8 inches of soil. Work it in well.

To protect against shock, choose a cloudy day to transplant outdoors. Place plants exactly as deep as they were in their original pots. Only tomatoes can be planted deeper, as they'll actually send out roots from underground stems. If planting in pots, tall containers are preferable to shallow ones.

Plant in rows to allow access to all plants without compacting soil around roots.

If support will be necessary, insert stakes into the ground when planting. Stakes installed after plants have become established might damage plant roots.

Apply mulch to keep the soil warm, inhibit weeds and retain water.

In the morning throughout the season, water deeply, allowing it to penetrate 5 to 6 inches into the ground. It's much better to water thoroughly less often than to water insufficiently more often.

- JESSICA DAMIANO