For many gardeners in USDA Zones 7. 8, 9 and 10, March is the month for new beginnings. The weather is warmer, trees and shrubs are blooming. But wait a minute… it’s still winter. Jack Frost can still be nipping at your plants, setting back the progress of new buds, flowers and leaves. On today’s Garden Basics, we have late winter and early spring frost protection tips for your new and established plants.

Thinking of growing sweet potatoes? Good idea! Sweet potatoes are drought- and heat-tolerant and have few pests or diseases. Sweet potatoes are low in calories and very nutritious, a good source of beta-carotene, protein, calcium, iron, vitamins A and C and other minerals.  They can be stored longer than winter squash. More commonly grown in the South and west because they require warm weather, northern regions can have success with select varieties. But for a successful crop of this warm season favorite, you need to get started now, indoors. We revisit the info you need to grow sweet potatoes.

We’re podcasting from Barking Dog Studios here in the beautiful Abutilon Jungle in Suburban Purgatory, it’s the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, brought to you today by Smart Pots. Let’s go!

Pictured:
Spring Frost Damage on a Brugmansia

Links:
Subscribe to the free, Garden Basics with Farmer Fred Newsletterhttps://gardenbasics.substack.com
Smart Pots https://smartpots.com/fred/
Dave Wilson Nursery
How to Grow Sweet Potatoes
Frost Cloths
Frost Protection for Tomato, Pepper plants

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