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| Photo: Joyce D'Agostino |
If you love to garden, you know how hard it is to wait to finally plant your summer garden. Often this begins with weeks of starting seeds inside under lights, nurturing the seedlings and then getting the young plants acclimated for the final place in your garden.
Before the plants can safely go outside, it is important to be aware of what your zone’s last predicted frost date will be. This is often stated as an average estimated date in the spring, based on actual weather records for your area. One word of caution is to remember this is an estimated date and can vary with each year so requires that in addition to knowing the estimated date, that you watch weather forecasts for your area.
The best plan is as you approach your average last frost date, is to begin allowing some of your plants time outdoors during the daytime. This is called “hardening off” and helps your plants become gradually used to the outdoor climate and then to gradual exposure to the sun. Without doing this first, your plants could experience transplant shock which could cause setbacks or loss of the plants. While the daytime temperatures may be warm and mild, you will begin the hardening off by bringing the plants indoors for the evening and then as temperatures become warmer at night, the plants can also spend some time outdoors at night time as well.
The best plan is as you approach your average last frost date, is to begin allowing some of your plants time outdoors during the daytime. This is called “hardening off” and helps your plants become gradually used to the outdoor climate and then to gradual exposure to the sun. Without doing this first, your plants could experience transplant shock which could cause setbacks or loss of the plants. While the daytime temperatures may be warm and mild, you will begin the hardening off by bringing the plants indoors for the evening and then as temperatures become warmer at night, the plants can also spend some time outdoors at night time as well.
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| Photo: Mary Kirby |
If you plan to plant directly from seed, review the seed packet information. This is important because you will need to know the days to harvest for that plant. If for example your last spring frost is predicted to be May 13th and your first frost of the fall season on average comes about September 26, this means that your growing season is about 135 days long. Knowing the days to harvest (often shown on the seed packet information such as “60 days”) lets you know if that fruit, vegetable or herb is suited for your climate and has enough time to properly mature and produce a crop before the first frost.
While a 135 day season might sound like ample time for your plant to produce, the number of days includes the time it takes for the plant to go from a young immature plant to a mature plant that can produce a crop, and to do so before the end of the season. Many seed companies also indicate on their websites or in their catalogs about the recommended zones for that particular plant. This is important because many plants need certain temperatures in order for that plant to succeed: You can find your growing zone here: Hardiness Zone
While a 135 day season might sound like ample time for your plant to produce, the number of days includes the time it takes for the plant to go from a young immature plant to a mature plant that can produce a crop, and to do so before the end of the season. Many seed companies also indicate on their websites or in their catalogs about the recommended zones for that particular plant. This is important because many plants need certain temperatures in order for that plant to succeed: You can find your growing zone here: Hardiness Zone
As you approach your planting time, both the daytime and the night air and soil temperatures must be adequate for each type of plant. This information breaks down garden plants into categories to assist you in knowing the right time to plant: Right Time
In the event after you plant there is unexpected cold or possibly freezing weather predicted, refer to these garden notes for tips on plant protection: Protection
The following provides excellent information and tips so you can successfully start and grow your front range garden from spring to fall: Starting Indoors, Spring Frosts, Soil Temperatures
