When should I plant?

Krista and I attended the Yard, Garden and Patio Show last Friday. The show itself was interesting and one of the main themes was edible landscape. As I have said before I have done this for years because it just made sense to me.

We attended a seminar about small space gardening that was really quite good, but the speakers handed out a flyer that talked about when to plant and I kept thinking "I hope people in here realize that these suggestions are general and don't apply to every location in the area." They were saying that the frost free date was mid to late April. If you live in any of the outlying metro areas that is simply not true. It is sometimes difficult to determine exactly when your own particular frost free date is, but it is very important.

I hate to generalize because there are microclimates even within your own yard, but my experience has shown that in Hillsboro, for instance, frost free is generally about May 12th to the15th, but last year we had a hard frost at the Farmers' Market on the 18th( after having 80 degree weather the week before). I don't know how many people came to us and said that their tomato plants had died in Hillsboro, Sherwood and Tigard. If you do want to put your plants in that first week of May you need to think about protecting them with something like a Wall 'O Water or bell jar.

If you have gardened a while in your yard you have probably have a pretty good idea when frost free is, but if you are new to gardening or at a new location you might try asking a neighbor about their experience with frost free.

Some plants, of course, don't mind a light frost. Hardy herbs like rosemary, lavender, winter savory and even parsley don't really mind at all. We have a new flat leaf parsley this year called Survivor that is supposed to be frost tolerant. Vegetables like peas, cabbage, rhubarb, onions and artichokes like to go in early too.

If you have questions about your when your favorite vegetables or herbs should be planted we will be posting calendars on our website: mountainsideherbalnursery.com
, but remember your area may be different. We will try to help as best we can with specific questions if you email us at mtherbal@aol.com.

For the best tasting food:

GROW WHAT YOU EAT!

Krista and I attended the Yard, Garden and Patio Show last Friday. The show itself was interesting and one of the main themes was edible landscape. As I have said before I have done this for years because it just made sense to me.

We attended a seminar about small space gardening that was really quite good, but the speakers handed out a flyer that talked about when to plant and I kept thinking "I hope people in here realize that these suggestions are general and don't apply to every location in the area." They were saying that the frost free date was mid to late April. If you live in any of the outlying metro areas that is simply not true. It is sometimes difficult to determine exactly when your own particular frost free date is, but it is very important.

I hate to generalize because there are microclimates even within your own yard, but my experience has shown that in Hillsboro, for instance, frost free is generally about May 12th to the15th, but last year we had a hard frost at the Farmers' Market on the 18th( after having 80 degree weather the week before). I don't know how many people came to us and said that their tomato plants had died in Hillsboro, Sherwood and Tigard. If you do want to put your plants in that first week of May you need to think about protecting them with something like a Wall 'O Water or bell jar.

If you have gardened a while in your yard you have probably have a pretty good idea when frost free is, but if you are new to gardening or at a new location you might try asking a neighbor about their experience with frost free.

Some plants, of course, don't mind a light frost. Hardy herbs like rosemary, lavender, winter savory and even parsley don't really mind at all. We have a new flat leaf parsley this year called Survivor that is supposed to be frost tolerant. Vegetables like peas, cabbage, rhubarb, onions and artichokes like to go in early too.

If you have questions about your when your favorite vegetables or herbs should be planted we will be posting calendars on our website: mountainsideherbalnursery.com
, but remember your area may be different. We will try to help as best we can with specific questions if you email us at mtherbal@aol.com.

For the best tasting food:

GROW WHAT YOU EAT!