Verona! You can begin planting some of your produce garden seeds in April. Seedling vegetables should be planted when the ground is warmer in May.  We are recommending getting started sooner than later so our residents can enjoy gardening with their families while reducing their need to visit the supermarkets for simple items like peppers, tomatoes and herbs, etc. Many of our local garden centers will be stocking seedlings in coming weeks and will deliver them to your home.  Please try to support our local centers: Hillcrest Farms in Verona: (973) 239-0809, Pleasantdale Nurseries in West Orange: (973) 731-0830.  Have fun and stay safe.  www.veronanj.org/environmentalcommission

Container Gardens

• If you are using containers, make sure they have drain holes at the bottom
• Organic soil is recommended
• Place your containers in areas where your vegetables will receive at least 6 hours of sunlight
• To prevent deer and squirrels, you may have to put some shiny ribbons around the pot

In Ground Gardening

• You may want to enrich your soil with organic manure, peat moss and organic soil
• Make sure the area you prepare receives 6 hours of sunlight
• You may want to use simple deer fencing around your garden area to prevent deer and groundhogs from eating your veggies

April Planting

• If you plan on planting seeds, your family might like to start with lettuce, radishes, spinach, and carrots. Parsley is a hardy herb which grows well in a pot, and will also be a welcoming home for Swallowtail Butterflies (The butterflies will lay their tiny green eggs on the leaves, and then you will see small black larvae that molt over several weeks)
• Other hardy herbs include rosemary, thyme and oregano. Oregano is a member of the mint family and spreads aggressively. We recommend planting oregano and any mint family plants in containers.

May Planting

• Seedling Vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and squash and more delicate herbs like basil and cilantro should be planted outside around Mother's Day.  All of these vegetables require a climbing apparatus to support them as they grow

• Tomato cages may be used to support cucumber and squash vines and are also available at our local garden centers

• Recommend mulching with natural undyed cedar mulch to keep your vegetables moist in the hot months

• Remember to connect your rain barrels to your leader pipes soon to collect the water for your gardens!

The VEC is hoping that this Mother’s Day (May 10, 2020) will be celebrated across town by all families in their own gardens, planting and planning for a season of fresh herbs and vegetables!