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March 17, 2026

Hi Reader!

I'm so antsy right now! I'm itching to get outside and start planting .... but, I can't do it just yet.

In this edition:

• Planting Radishes
• Last Season's Troopers
• My Plan for This Summer

Are You Ready To Start!?

Last season, I did a few trials of planting radishes. I had good results for some, and not so good for others.

I'm not a big fan of radishes but like some other veggies I didn't prefer, the radishes I grew myself tasted so much better than what I bought in stores.

There are many varieties of radishes. I didn't realize that. Some are hotter, or sweeter, larger, or smaller. It's just a matter of preference. I purchased four or five varieties, and I tossed them in my raised bed.

​Check out some of these interesting varieties! 🫜🫜🫜

This is the time of the year to do this because radishes like cool weather. If you are in Zone 8a, where I live, it will soon be too hot and humid for them to live their best life. So, get them in the ground now.

I just sprinkled seeds four days ago and already they are sprouting. Most varieties only take 21 days from planting to harvesting.

There isn't much else going on in the gardening yet, but I can clearly see signs of Spring. Our average last frost date is right about April 15th so I have learned to w.a.i.t until then before planting those veggies that want ONLY warm weather.

My garlic survived the few brutally cold freezing temps we had and with just a bit of sunshine and warmth they have greened up and are growing. The bulbs won't be ready until around May.

One of the reasons I like planting collards, turnips, and Swiss chard during the Fall is because, most times, it can survive extremely cold nights, and I usually have a few thriving plants left the next Spring.

At the end of last season, I promised myself I would downsize the garden a bit because I was tired and didn't need to do all I was doing.

Then, 2026 came and like always I have big gardening plans! 😁

I'll likely end up planting way more than I had planned. This year's list will look something like this:

Cukes, Yellow Squash, Zucchini (which I've never grown surprisingly), Okra (of course), Tomatoes, Green Beans, Cantaloupe, Bell Peppers, Radishes, Garlic, Pears, Mulberries, Raspberries, Pineapple Guava, and whatever else grabs my attention this summer. Yes, big goals. Success is ultimately in the hands of the Lord who provides the sun and the rain.

That's all for now! I'm looking forward to sharing my gardening adventures with you this summer.

And.... HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY! ☘️☘️☘️

Feel free to write me at jangardener@gardenease.org if you have any questions or comments.

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I'll see you in the next edition!

Peace and Love,

Jan

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If you have questions, comments, praises, complaints, or ideas about gardening or about the newsletter, you can reach me at: jangardener@gardenease.org