Peter Josephy has been giving out gardening advice for more than 55 years. I have a file of all his old articles written for the Observer and Williams Lake Tribune. I thought you would enjoy reading them as the advice is still timely. After nearly 30 years, some things like this question never change; however, some people may not agree that the weather doesn’t…read on.
When to Plant?
Peter Josephy
Cariboo Observer,
Gardening Special 1983
The most often asked question these days at the nursery is, “Is it safe now, to set these plants out in the garden?” Well, like they say here, only fools and newcomer’s predict the weather in the Cariboo, and I have been here since 1951.
Some years ago, I looked up the climatic data at the airport, at that time panning 66 years and came up with some interesting notes. For instance, the earliest date for the last killing frost was May 7, and the latest July 11. Which means it was safe to set tomato plants out into the garden after May 7 that particular year, while they would have frozen July the 11 that other year.
The longest frost–free period was 144 days, while the shortest was 11 days. Obviously there weren’t too many tender vegetables or flowers around that year, with those 11 days without frost.
So what are we to tell our customers? We tell them it’s safe to plant trees, shrubs and perennials, of course. Also, some bedding plants, grown in the greenhouse, but hardened off outside for a while, notably petunias and snapdragons; will take up to five degrees of frosts.
Other plants, such as tomatoes and cucumbers, are better set out later.
For those who can’t wait, tender varieties of plants benefit greatly when put under a hot cap, which is a miniature greenhouse.
Not only does this protect the plants from freezing, it also makes them grow much faster.
The climate is changing, you say? Well, I am a skeptic. To be sure, maybe you better build yourself a greenhouse.
Jean Atkinson is a horticulturist with Richbar Golf and Garden and a regular Observer columnist.