Hello! This weather is really something else! Above average temperatures followed by below average temperatures. Below average rainfalls – above average rainfalls! Will this pendulum trend continue? Will Mother Nature finally settle down herself and the weather? At any rate it’s almost the end of April, and sometimes it feels like the middle of summer like this week, other times the middle of fall, like it’s going to be next week. And in reality, we are really into the middle of spring!

And I know that practically every gardener out there is just a’raring to get a’going, just a’raring to get a’growing, just chomping at the bit to get every bit of their gardens all in! Well, a word to the wise (not that the wise need to heed a word from me!) – don’t jump the gun!

Actually, there are many different things that can be set out, or planted around now. Keep in mind – that average last spring frost date – May 20th. Perhaps more realistic is the end of May, or Memorial Day – almost the end of May.

So those peas and spinach could go in, since these really thrive in really cool weather. Actually pea and spinach seed won’t even germinate if the soil is too warm. And let’s not forget all the other cool, cool-loving stuff out there – cabbage, collards, kale, lettuce, onions, potatoes, and radishes. Let’s not forget Bachelor buttons or pansies, or sweet peas. And it’s about time to get in your beets, broccoli, cauliflower, parsley, and Swiss chard. Just make sure that all of your transplants are properly hardened off for life in the wilds of the North Country.

But what about everyone’s garden favorite crop – tomatoes? When do they go in? Well, simply put – NOT YET! Even though some of our spring days so far have been in the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s (surely safe for tomato plants, right?), our nights have been down to the 50’s, 40’s, 30’s – most certainly way too chilly for those tomatoes! Besides, there is still the danger of frost lurking out there! Remember – the average last spring frost date – May 20th! That’s only a possibility, not a guarantee. I know some impatient gardeners might be a bit tempted to take that risk and set their tomatoes in. They either pray a lot, or sit in the first pew in church!

So if those early planted tomatoes are not gunned down by that last late spring frost, then those praying/gambling gardeners figure that their tomatoes will have a nice, hefty head start two weeks ahead of all the other more patient gardeners who have waited those two or more weeks for that last spring frost that never did come!

But, do keep in mind, that all those heat-loving tomatoes (as well as all those other heat lovers – peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, squash, beans) really love their heat during the nighttime as well as during the day. Some of these nights have been way too chilly, for both people and those heat-loving plants! So, don’t do those heat-loving plants any “favors” by getting them in just yet! Because – as a matter of fact – you may be doing them some real harm. Not only will they not grow with those cold night, they may also be set back quite a bit (sometimes permanently) just because of those cold nights. And if that one last spring frost does suddenly surprise everyone, those heat loving plants will be more than just set back!

So, what are we saying here? Be patient. By all means, do plant those things that can be planted now. And plan now for all those things that will go in after that last spring frost, after the weather has settled down, after the soil temperatures have warmed up and stayed warmed up.

And, if you haven’t done so already, make sure that you have removed all of the old plant debris from the last growing season. This old stuff can harbor all those yucky kinds of bugs, or awful bacteria or fungi, all disease causing, of course! If you haven’t done so already, get that garden tilled or rototilled once it’s cleared out.

So get going – get planting all the stuff that should be planted around now. But don’t jump the gun when it comes to those heat-lovers.

Remember – Eat Smart New York!

And – Bye – Talk to you soon!
D