It's not too early to start planning — and planting — for the coming outdoor growing season

When March hits, I start counting up the weeks left before we can plant outdoors. That way, I know when to tell readers to start seeds indoors so they'll be ready to transplant when we have frost-free days. The problem comes in determining what day we might be able to plant outdoors. It has shifted over the past few years as our weather becomes warmer.

When I first started writing this column 40-plus years ago, Planting Out Day came on Memorial Day weekend. Since it moved around from year to year, it soon became clear that this had more to do with having time to plant than is did with the correct time to plant. I no longer use this as a guide. Besides, it is May 26 this year and that is way too faraway sounding. We don't want to wait three months.

The first thing we need to look for are those frost-free days and nights. These usually start around April 15. We can plant some things outdoors then, such as peas, but the soil is not warm enough for most of the annuals and row crops we like to grow. It takes another three weeks or so for that to happen. In the meantime, you also have to factor in the week or so of hardening off that plants started early indoors need to get used to growing outdoors.

All of this has added up — by my calculations anyway — to a target date for planting out of about May 13 this year, which is 10 weeks away. That is just a guide. If it turns out to be a cooler season than I expect, we may have to wait another week. The plants will be fine. If it is a pleasant and early warm spring, then I will give the signal to harden them off the week before.

Two and half months is a while away and growing plants in pots that are meant to be in the ground can be challenging to sustain for that long. There are three rules. The first, and everyone knows this, is that you have to use lights to start most seed up until April 1. My broken record, I know, but if I can save just one gardener from wasting money and time, it is worth it to me.

The second rule is to start properly. Use the proper mycorrhizal fungi and the best soil you can find. No skimping here.

The third rule is to label everything. You will want to know what you are transplanting, for one. And, you may want to enter the state fair and will need to know what variety your plant is. It is also a good idea to include a starting date, so you can think about your seed choices when you harvest.

By the way, now is when you need to go to local nurseries and buy your seed even if your choices don't need to be planted for another month. You know the cliche about the early bird getting the worm. This is where it applies. Stores only order so much seed and the good stuff goes first. Besides, you need to visit a nursery just to get this winter's snow (and rain) out of your mind and to load up on the other things you need for seed starting: compost, mycorrhizal fungi, labels and containers.

If you have lights, you can still plant leeks and celery from seed this weekend. And I'll continue to list which seeds need to be started each week in the calendar that accompanies this column. (I try to include most of the major plants you might want to grow.)

Finally, after all my blather about needing lights until April 1, this is a weekend you can actually start some things without them, namely gladioli corms. You buy them from your favorite nurseries. A dozen or more is in order. I think it's best to plant a few every four or five days until you have what you need. This will allow the flowers to be staggered over a longer period of time.

Press a corm, fat side down, into soil and cover with an inch of soil. Either plant in shallow flats or use individual containers like used coffee cups. Do give them the light you have, but don't worry about adding more.

Jeff’s Alaska Garden Calendar

Plan before you plant: It helps to do a garden plan before you go to buy seed. It can be crude, but you need control when you go into a nursery this time of year.

Vegetable seeds to start: leeks and celery — but hurry.

Flower seeds to start: It is not too late to start sweet peas. Pinch them back once when they get more than four or five leaves.

Alaska Botanical Garden landscape design workshop: This is a three-day series taking place on March 28, April 4, and April 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. The cost is $100 for members and $125 for nonmembers. Learn the basic tenets of landscape design and walk away with a new plan for your garden. Space is limited and reservations are required.