These Can Be Planted Before Frost Free

I have spent a lot of time reminding everyone not to plant too early. Up here on the mountain we were close to freezing this morning (there was frost on my lawn). I'm sure there was frost at least in protected areas in the valley. A quick review, it's too early for tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, eggplant and especially basil.

On a positive note, however, there are lots of wonderful vegetables and herbs that can tolerate frost in varying degrees. That's what I want to talk about today. I'm sure I won't remember to mention them all, but hopefully it will give you an idea. If you have a question about specific plants you can email us at mtherbal@aol.com.

Hardy herbs like lavender, rosemary, sage, chives and parsley are frost tolerant. REALLY cold weather like we had this winter will damage rosemary (you should see my poor old rosemary plant, it used to be large), but the temps we have this time of the year won't bother most varieties, especially Hill Hardy or Arp. These newer varieties are specifically bred to take more cold. If you get new plants from us next week at the Hillsboro or Sherwood market be sure to ask if the plant you are getting has been in the greenhouse or outside. Plants coming from the greenhouse should be hardened off by putting them outside for a week or so before planting. They will do so much better.

Mint can be damaged by frost, but they will come out of it and with the way mint grows you usually don't notice any damage for long. Because mint can be invasive we usually recommend planting it in pots anyway so you can bring them in if it frosts hard.

A lot of vegetables can tolerate some frost too. Peas, cabbage, Kale, broccoli, onions, lettuce, cauliflower and kohlrabi just ignore the frost and in fact grow better in cool weather. We will have some of those the first couple weeks of May and again in the fall. We also do some summer lettuce that is more heat tolerant, which I recommend planting from mid June until fall. I have probably forgotten to mention some plants, so check our calendar at our website www.mountainsideherbalnursery.com.

I am really looking forward to market next Sat, May 2. We will be at Hillsboro and Sherwood. I should say Krista and I (and Molly) will be at Hillsboro and Peter and Annika will be at Sherwood. Hope we have good weather!!


Grow What You Eat!!

I have spent a lot of time reminding everyone not to plant too early. Up here on the mountain we were close to freezing this morning (there was frost on my lawn). I'm sure there was frost at least in protected areas in the valley. A quick review, it's too early for tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, eggplant and especially basil.

On a positive note, however, there are lots of wonderful vegetables and herbs that can tolerate frost in varying degrees. That's what I want to talk about today. I'm sure I won't remember to mention them all, but hopefully it will give you an idea. If you have a question about specific plants you can email us at mtherbal@aol.com.

Hardy herbs like lavender, rosemary, sage, chives and parsley are frost tolerant. REALLY cold weather like we had this winter will damage rosemary (you should see my poor old rosemary plant, it used to be large), but the temps we have this time of the year won't bother most varieties, especially Hill Hardy or Arp. These newer varieties are specifically bred to take more cold. If you get new plants from us next week at the Hillsboro or Sherwood market be sure to ask if the plant you are getting has been in the greenhouse or outside. Plants coming from the greenhouse should be hardened off by putting them outside for a week or so before planting. They will do so much better.

Mint can be damaged by frost, but they will come out of it and with the way mint grows you usually don't notice any damage for long. Because mint can be invasive we usually recommend planting it in pots anyway so you can bring them in if it frosts hard.

A lot of vegetables can tolerate some frost too. Peas, cabbage, Kale, broccoli, onions, lettuce, cauliflower and kohlrabi just ignore the frost and in fact grow better in cool weather. We will have some of those the first couple weeks of May and again in the fall. We also do some summer lettuce that is more heat tolerant, which I recommend planting from mid June until fall. I have probably forgotten to mention some plants, so check our calendar at our website www.mountainsideherbalnursery.com.

I am really looking forward to market next Sat, May 2. We will be at Hillsboro and Sherwood. I should say Krista and I (and Molly) will be at Hillsboro and Peter and Annika will be at Sherwood. Hope we have good weather!!


Grow What You Eat!!