Spring Gardening Tips from Reston’s Seed Fairy

by Megan Schmid

Photo by Kerry Dickson

Spring has officially arrived in Reston, bringing with it our annual hopes and dreams of a flourishing garden and a perfectly manicured lawn. But how can you actually achieve your horticultural goals? Kerry Dickson, Reston’s "seed fairy," has a few tips and tricks to help you succeed.

“If you’re a new gardener shopping for seeds at big-box stores, do your research before making a purchase,” Dickson advises. “It’s easy to be swayed by pretty pictures, but just because a local store stocks a certain type of seed doesn’t mean it will thrive in our area.” She speaks from experience: “Over the years, I’ve bought many seeds that simply don’t do well in Reston. Save yourself time, money, and effort by doing a quick Google search before you buy.”

Dickson started most of her seeds in late January and currently has about 250 growing under lights. “If you haven’t started your seeds yet, there’s still plenty of time! April is perfect for starting tomatoes, eggplants, cucumbers, herbs, zinnias, cosmos, and marigolds indoors,” she says. “Some easy crops for new gardeners to grow from seed include tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, and pumpkins. For flowers, try fast-germinating varieties like zinnias and cosmos.”

Her go-to online seed sources are Harris Seeds, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, and Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. Locally, she recommends Meadows Farms and Merrifield Garden Center.

While quality seeds matter, so does the soil. “I strongly suggest sifting your seed-starting mix,” she says. “Many store-bought mixes contain large chunks of mulch and peat moss, which can prevent small seedlings from accessing water and developing strong root systems. Sifting the mix makes a huge difference.”

However, she warns against planting too early. “Our last frost date is April 20, but it’s always important to monitor the weather. Overnight temperatures below 40°F can damage tender plants. If a cold night is in the forecast, cover your plants with frost cloth or move them into the garage overnight. Personally, I wait until the first week of May to plant any tender annuals in the ground, just to be safe.”

When planting time arrives, Dickson recommends mixing vegetables with flowers—a technique known as companion planting—for natural pest control. “Many bugs prefer flowers and will munch on those instead of your veggies,” she explains. “Plus, flowers attract beneficial pollinators, leading to a more productive and vibrant garden.”

Next year, Dickson’s seeds will have an exciting new home—she’s tearing out her backyard perennial garden to build a glass greenhouse. This will complement the formal English garden she’s planning for this year. We’re already green with envy just imagining it!

For more gardening tips and updates on her greenhouse construction, follow @theseedfairy on Instagram.