What to Plant When

The weather has been glorious

the last few days, no?

And,  many of you are wondering what you 

can plant now, so......

lemme tell ya!

Some plants are ready for action, while others
would prefer to wait until it's warmer.
Resist the urge to plant everything and you'll have
a better garden and nicer baskets and planters if you do.

You can plant all members of the brassica family well before 

the 'safe' last frost date.

We had snow and bone-chilling temps

the weekend of the fishing opener.   We took in all the tender plants, 

but our brassicas 

(cabbages, kales, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower)

laughed in the face of the nasty, cold weather.

(For the record, Patty and I were NOT laughing.)

All members of the allium family

(leeks, onions, shallots, bunching onions)

are exceptionally cold-tolerant and can be planted as 

soon as the soil has been worked and is ready.

We have a beautiful selection of non-GMO seeds,

and you can plant lettuce, peas, spinach, arugula, carrots, beets, radishes

and root crops such as turnips, rutabagas, and parsnips now.

Petunias, calibrachoas (million bells), lobelia, alyssum, nemesia and diascia

are PROBABLY safe to plant now, but it is Ely, after all,
so if you put them out, watch the weather!

Geraniums are a little tolerant of cool weather, but under 45 degrees makes them sad.

Don't even think about planting out your begonias or impatiens yet.
They need the heat.  OK?

Tomatoes and peppers can go outside when the NIGHT TIME temperatures
are reliably in the 50s.

Herbs are generally cold tolerant, especially the perennial herbs such
as thyme, oregano, chives, lovage, mint, and hyssop.

HOWEVER.

Basil, papalo, shiso, and cilantro will curl up and die in cool temps,
so keep these heat lovers in your porch until you know we're past
the last frost date (which is early June).

Still have questions?

We have two master gardeners 

on staff every day

and we are here to help.