#013 Planting too soon!

This year, we made our first large garden.  Two areas;  One about 60 feet by 30 feet.  The other about 20 feet by 20 feet.

We started by planting seeds inside the house in every pot that we could buy or create.  Pots filled each window space in the house.

We had an abundance of seedlings.  Soon they needed to be separated.  I decided to put them in the ground as soon as the seed packet instructions said that they could go in.

Technically, we met the requirements for before or after frost based on documentation.  However, we had a late frost and a lot of heavy rain - too much for the small seedlings.  We lost almost all of the work that was put into the seedlings that went in the ground too soon.

I learned later, that it would have been better to let them grow to a robust size.   Perhaps with a much stronger root system before planting.  Also, adhering to the conventional regional wisdom of planting after Memorial Day for the lower New England area, due to the reduced frost risk.

Next year will be different.  More patience!  Increased production!