WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

Some plants can be damaged or even killed by frost or freeze, so it is important to use this information as a guide for scheduling your spring plantings and gardening activities. Cold-sensitive annuals, warm-season vegetables, and tropical plants, including houseplants that are taken outside, will need to be protected from the potentially damaging frost or freezes we might see in the coming weeks. Plants with high frost/freeze sensitivity include basil, tomatoes, peppers, sweet potato vine, annual vinca, impatiens, and other plants fresh from the greenhouse that have not had a chance to harden off.

BUT WAIT, THAT’S NOT ALL

In addition to air temperature, the soil temperature is also an important factor in the germination, establishment, and production of many warm-season annual flowers and vegetable crops, especially tomatoes and peppers. This is why, even if we don’t have a frost or freeze in late April or early May, you still need to wait to plant. While the air temperature warms up quickly the soil warms up slowly. Planting some crops too early before the soil temperature is 60 degrees Fahrenheit or higher can cause stunting and reduced production even if the air temperature is warm and the growing season is picture-perfect.

WHAT CAN YOU PLANT NOW?

March and April is a great time to plant things that are NOT sensitive to potential cold snaps or soil temperatures. This includes hardy trees, shrubs, and perennials, as well as early spring crops like pansies, lettuces, kale, and more. Fresh deliveries of plants and gardening supplies are arriving daily, so stop in soon to check out what’s new.

Have more questions? Send us an email or give us a call because our team is experienced and ready to help. You can also click here to read the full NOAA article about the time of year, on average, that areas across the nation can expect to see their temperatures dip to 32°F or below for the last time.