Spring signifies the beginning of gardening season for many of us. However, the timing for planting and lawn care can differ greatly depending on your location and the prevailing weather conditions. To assist you in starting your backyard vegetable garden this year, here’s our regional guide.
Determining the Last Freeze Date
It is crucial to know when the last freeze typically occurs in your area before investing time and money in planting, only to see your efforts perish due to a late frost. Some seeds and plants can be introduced to the garden before the final frost, which usually occurs at temperatures below about 36 degrees Fahrenheit. Local national weather service offices monitor and provide information on the last frost and freeze dates in spring and fall. While these dates can vary yearly, here are the typical timelines for last freezes in various regions and cities across the United States:
– March 1 – 30: Southern states, Desert Southwest, West Coast, Seattle, Portland, Atlanta, New York, and Washington
– March 30 – April 10: Southern New Mexico, Northeast, Raleigh, Philadelphia, Boston, St. Louis, Kansas City
– April 10 – 30: Plains, Midwest, East Coast, Reno, Omaha, Indianapolis, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Buffalo
– April 30 – May 15: Northern tier, Mountain West, Denver, Missoula, Fargo, Green Bay, Bangor
– After May 15: Canadian border, high Rocky elevations, Great Falls, Casper, Flagstaff, Crested Butte
Seeking Local Assistance
Every state has local agricultural extension offices that provide guidance on soil, water, seeds, growing, preservation, and cooking of garden produce. These offices, usually linked to larger universities, offer free programs such as soil testing, plant assessments, workshops on native plants, and more, tailored to your county’s requirements.
Planting Guidelines
Follow these general planting guidelines from Burpee.com:
– Cool-weather crops like spinach, peas, radishes: about three weeks before your last frost date
– Warm-weather vegetables, herbs: after the last frost
– Fall planting: count backward from your first frost date
Lawn Care Tips
Mow your lawn when the ground is dry and the grass is long. Avoid cutting grass too short, as it can promote weed growth and make the grass vulnerable to late freezes. Water your lawn as needed to build drought tolerance in spring growth, with watering frequency varying by region. Reduce or eliminate spring fertilization.
By heeding these guidelines, you can ensure a successful start to your gardening endeavors this spring.
Jan Childs, a senior writer at Severe WeatherWeather.com, reports on current events and stories concerning weather, space, climate change, the environment, and more.
