Planting time is crucial to the success of a garden. It is important to know when to plant a garden so you do not waste time and money in the case of a late frost. While there are cold-weather plants that can survive a frost and thrive in chilly temperatures, most garden plants need warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine. Does this Spark an idea?
Last Frost Date
There is no good way to predict when the last spring frost will occur. All planting instructions for seeds state to plant after the last expected frost date. The NOAA Satellite and Information Service has taken some of the guesswork out of the calculations (see Resources); the information includes average frost dates for the past three years in most major cities.
Starting Seeds Indoors
Once you have determined the last frost date in your area, count backwards on the calendar four to six weeks, depending on the type of seed. Start the seeds as directed on the package. By the time the plants are ready to be transplanted into the garden, the last frost date should have occurred. Just to be safe, cover the new plants with a milk jug or plastic bucket if night temperatures do not stay above 50 degrees F.
Cold-Weather Plants
Some plants, like peas and broccoli, love cool temperatures. Plant these seeds as soon as the soil is workable. Plant cucumbers, squash and lettuce about two weeks before the last frost is expected. If the temperatures are expected to drop significantly, protect young plants at night with sheets of newspaper, plastic buckets or milk jugs with the bottoms cut out. Remove the coverings during the day.
