Nearly $48 billion – that’s just how much Americans spend on gardening every year. For many people in the United States, growing vegetables once spring arrives is a big deal. As a matter of fact, 8 out of 10 households in the country participate in some kind of gardening activity.
Are you a newcomer to gardening and live in the DC area? If so, this post is tailor-made just for you.
Every state in the country has different weather conditions, but Washington generally has mild summers and winters – that allows gardeners to plant all year round. Below are some of the most popular produce, herbs, and flowers for growing in Washington, DC.
Basil
You can find many people selling sweet and Thai basil in DC markets. That’s because basil is pretty easy to grow. Just give it enough water and sun, and it should grow without problems. If you want the opportunity to make pesto for several occasions, you should purchase a couple of basil plants.
Mint
Mint grows very well too. You can just plant some mint in a few pots and leave it be. It’s so it doesn’t need too much cultivation to grow. It’s great for tea, so you can plant it in spring, and have it ready for the fall and winter.
Tomatoes
Spring temperatures aren’t predictable. That’s why tomatoes perform best when planted as young plants. A tomato flower won’t pollinate during the summer when the temperatures are high. It will do so in early August and it will set and ripen new fruit until well into October.
Peppers
Just as tomatoes, peppers should be planted as young plants, and placed in a spot where they could bathe in sunlight for multiple hours. Although peppers like heat, you should keep them watered during long dry spells to encourage growth.
Peony
When it comes to peony, most seasoned gardeners will tell you that you should simply buy an established peony plant, put it in a pot, and place it in a sun-filled area in your home. It may take a few months to blossom, but you don’t need to give it much attention in the meantime.
Clematis
Until fairly recently, only a small number of clematis cultivars were readily available in the US. Due to that scarcity, clematis has become quite popular. You can plant clematis any time you want, just be aware that blooms may recede in the summer. No worries, though; they’ll return in autumn.
Start Growing Your Produce, Herbs, or Flowers Today
When looking for gardening advice, keep in mind that every region has different planting times, based on their weather. Washington, DC is no different. A helpful resource is Almanac’s Best Planting Dates, an online calendar that shows you all of the frosting dates in your region. Enter your ZIP code, look up the dates, and plan out your planting schedule. Good luck, gardeners!