posted
Ok how do I figure the last frost date for my area? I've been assuming that it would be the first day of spring. Can someone help me please? I have some seeds that are suppose to be planted inside 12 weeks before last frost if that is the first day of spring down here then I'm late.
* * * * Plants: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
| Seeded: 4.249.75.86
quote:Originally posted by tkhooper: Ok how do I figure the last frost date for my area? I've been assuming that it would be the first day of spring. Can someone help me please? I have some seeds that are suppose to be planted inside 12 weeks before last frost if that is the first day of spring down here then I'm late.
You'll find the average "last frost date" map on the bottom of this page.
* * * * Plants: 11227 | From: Cedar Hill Washington | Registered: Aug 2002
| Seeded: 67.150.87.78
posted
that's a 30 day range lol. Well either I'm right on time for the larkspur and Malva sylvestris Zebrina or I'm a month early lol. Ok well half now and the other half if this one fails. Wish me luck all.
* * * * Plants: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
| Seeded: 4.249.75.86
posted
Tammy, Those Malva sylvestris Zebrina, are tough ole birds... Mine stay growing *well the one's that have grown thru the summer* thru many frosts..
So, maybe after you figure out a ball park idea of when you want to or can plant.. plant them.. and then save yourself some juice containers, like juicey juice or a apple juice... clear plastic container.. cut off the bottom, and save the tops.. you can put the tops back on during the night.. and make yourself a mini~greenhouse like.. just make sure in the later morning hours the containers are either un~capped or pulled off if the weather is nice enough in your part...
That way, you'll be sure to have them unharmed... *if there's an late frost*
And just so you know, I have some that reseed, and fall on the ground in the fall time, reseed themselves outside and I have plenty of flowers by mid~summer..and I'm usually at least a month and a half or two months behind you in growing season....
* * * * Weezie
Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. - Bible - Hebrews 13:2
I'm sure like most beginners I probably love 90% of my plants to death lol. But I keep trying because you all give me so much love and support. I planted the larkspur inside today and then had to go do something else but I'll get the malva in there egg cartons here in the not to distant future. Hopefully I'll be getting up the window shelves this month so that everything else can get started on time.
* * * * Plants: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
| Seeded: 4.249.75.21
posted
I have some malva zebrina. I did not know they needed to be sown prior to last frost. Guess I need to start looking up things as well.
* * * * We are all under the same stars... therefore we are never far apart. Plants: 30076 | From: Washington, the state that is... | Registered: Aug 2004
| Seeded: 66.235.45.83
posted
The germination table in this room has quite a few plants on it. Everyone chipped in and added so so it's pretty good. Hope it can help.
I know I only have two different species to worry about until day 77 and then I should start the 10 week before frost types for my location. I think I have a bunch of those.
I'm just trying to have a drought tolerant, 4 season garden. Not that I ever bite off more than I can chew lol. But it's comming along. I think I'm much better off than I was last year. Even if I am starting plants before I have the soil ammended. At least I know to budget the potting soil into the budget this year for early spring.
* * * * Plants: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
| Seeded: 4.249.141.93
posted
I figure we're past the frost date when I see the tulips/daffodils, etc.
And even if I'm wrong, you can always dash out there in your housecoat and put a buncha' plastic bottles over everything, as soon as the weatherman announces frost.
* * * * When sorting seeds, do not whistle. Plants: 2784 | From: Toronto, Canada | Registered: Jul 2004
| Seeded: 69.194.112.206
Today it's a balmy 80 degrees here, I actually am getting a little sunburned on my legs while I'm out gardening! (That's why I took a break to come in). It is sooooo beautiful here!
(Although I know I'm REALLY going to regret saying that come summertime)
Plants: 292 | From: Arizona | Registered: Oct 2004
| Seeded: 68.104.164.228
quote:Originally posted by Amber J: I actually am getting a little sunburned on my legs while I'm out gardening!
You don't need to rub it in!!!
* * * * One OS to rule them, one OS to find them: One OS to bring them all and in the darkness bind them In the Land of Redmond where the shadows lie. Plants: 1077 | From: Haskell Oklahoma Zone 6b | Registered: Feb 2005
| Seeded: 69.30.152.15
posted
tk...It may not be as important in your area, but areas further north, it is a good rule of thumb to add a week or two to the last frost date, so that gives you a two week window to juggle things around with. That way when that unexpected frost threatens you don't have to make a mad dash around to find every container to cover up all of those plants...I had to do that one year the whole garden was planted, I had a heck of a time finding enough things to cover everything with. Or worse yet not knowing about a possible frost and losing everything.
posted
That sounds like a very good idea comfrey. I guess I just want to enjoy the garden every day I can so I'm pushing the limit. I'll probably be one of those that losses everything. It's just that last year I planted outside on the 15th of march and could have planted even earlier lol. It is so warm here that it is hard to think of late frosts at this time. But your right mother nature can be sneaky.
* * * * Plants: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
| Seeded: 4.249.48.9
posted
It has been very warm here for this time of year, but we have also had frost at night and daytime temps of 50-70, so it is easy to be decieved, Winter is still here in spite of the warmer temps everyone is having....You Just Have To Be Patient!
posted
I nearly lost plants last year when I put them outside too early - don't be too quick.
Coleus, for instance - I won't do it till the first week of May this time.
I've got a feeling we're going to have an early spring - the weather that's been forecast for Toronto this coming week? Whew!
4 to 8 celsius! That's pretty good for Toronto this time of year.
Farmers' Almanac says our last snow will be in January. I can live with that.
I got an MP3 player today - I think I said that in another post - Jeff has loaded a book on it and some music - I fully intend to enjoy myself outdoors puttering around, listening to my new toy.
AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE!
Heh! Heh! I'm sure 'something' will come up.
* * * * When sorting seeds, do not whistle. Plants: 2784 | From: Toronto, Canada | Registered: Jul 2004
| Seeded: 69.194.112.206
posted
Well today the last of the impatient seeds went in. They are the double bloom variety and I just love them. I hope they come up because I only had a very few seeds. These will live in pots because of their water needs and my lack of outdoor water lol. I also started some petunias of mixed colors. I've never had them in my garden before but from what I understand they will come out early and that's important to me this year. I want blooms as close to all year long as possible. The portulaca that I am over wintering are still doing great. They bloom every few days and don't seem to mind being indoors at all.
* * * * Plants: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
| Seeded: 4.249.201.160
posted
I put my seeds in regular potting soil last year and they came up just fine. But I think there are certain kinds of seeds that do much better in the really fine soil.
* * * * Plants: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
| Seeded: 4.249.60.21
posted
I looked at that ad for the moon phase calendar and had considered it, but then I just decided it would be an impulse to buy it. If a person wants to plant by the moon phases...An almanac works well. Let us know what you think about the calendar.
posted
Although our average last killing frost is around the 15th of April , I always wait until the first of May to put my houseplants outside . It's hard to wait , but worth it .
posted
That sounds live very wise advise. I'm alittle early this year and may pay for it dearly. But I can be so stubborn at times. Last year our last frost was like the first week of march and with my hardening space being right next to the buildning I could have handled that outside without a problem so I'm pushing it this year. Probably a very very bad idea but what can I say.
* * * * Plants: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
| Seeded: 4.249.24.248
posted
We have so many gigantic oaks around our house that I never bring plants in. They usually survive, even petunias and geraniums. It takes a hurricane for the rain to get through the trees, even without leaves, to get onto our driveway.
I only bought that calendar because I need a calendar for the house. I just put stuff out when I think it's time.
Thanks TK. I do feel better. When all your stuff is up you're going to be so busy pruning and watering and weeding we'll never see you on the forum.
posted
Tammy, do you save your pop bottles, juice containers, stuff like that, that you can plant outdoors early, but leave covered like at night times or when a threat comes to your area???? That way, they're in the ground and getting that early root growth... but still warm under those little "greenhouse's".........
* * * * Weezie
Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. - Bible - Hebrews 13:2
posted
No because of the number of homeless vandals that tromp all over the garden. I pretty much have to wait until the flowers are large enough to be identifiable as plants that you would like to see grow. Then I can put them out. Some still get uprooted by careless people but for the most part they just let their dogs poop on them.
Some day when I get a garden space of my very own I will put out some real cold frames because you know I just love starting things early. Thank you so much for the thought.
* * * * Plants: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
| Seeded: 4.249.201.136
posted
In all honesty, last frost for Toronto would have to be the last week of May.
It's probably safe to figure on May 1st, but you would spend three weeks worry - running outside to cover things at the first sign of a dip in the weather.
Best to concentrate on clean-up, layout, tree and bush pruning until then. That way, you've got the hard jobs done.
* * * * When sorting seeds, do not whistle. Plants: 2784 | From: Toronto, Canada | Registered: Jul 2004
| Seeded: 69.194.112.206
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