If there is one piece of advice that I give local horticulture enthusiasts, it is to never plant tender annual flowers or vegetables before "income tax day," April 15.
That's because there is always a minimal chance of frost in early April. When the weather turns warm in March, the desire to get out there and get the garden going is almost overwhelming, and every third year or so, a late frost can wreak havoc on the amateur gardener.
But a hard freeze this late in the year is almost unheard of. It is very destructive to our blooming azaleas and other spring blooming plants. Many tender shoots and budding leaves cannot survive temperatures this far below freezing.
And it is catastrophic for those that earn their livelihood from agricultural produce that has already set its blossoms. Georgia is the peach state, but a hard freeze this late can potentially wipe out the entire crop.
But the simple fact is, there's nothing that we can do about it! There are no irate phone calls to make, no certified letters to send, no officials to vote out of office.
Gardening isn't about controlling the elements, it's about responding to them.
And that's what makes it interesting!
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All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 770-827-6225.
Learn more about Coweta County and Fayette County Georgia Real Estate, and to search the entire Georgia MLS for free with no registration required. Visit CowetaFayetteRealEstate.com! Photos of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. North Georgia Photos.
Richard, Harumph! And they said my procrastination wouldn't pay off. Rich
How weird is that? Yesterday it was 28 degrees in Austin...an all time record and I thought only Texas had such bizarre weather swings! Like you I am concerned with our plants , especially the peach trees but we seemed to have dodged that bullet!
Richard, many people never realize the devistation the weather has on our local food growers, etc. Thank you for bringing that up. Weather has a far reaching effect in many different directions.
As a side note, I will have to call dad and harrass him that we are warmer up here than he is down there! HA! (Well, mabye not, but I will tease him all the same.)
Richard,
Your pictures are wonderful and your advice is timely!!
Rich...
Well my goodness, you are correct! Procrastination CAN be a good think. But did you catch my "income tax day" reference? That doesn't mix with procrastination! lol
Russell...
I don't think that our friends from the north can comprehend how unusual this is ... we are much more likely to be running the AC this time of year! THX
Andrea...
Better hurry ... it's warming up to the high sixties this afternoon! ; ) and thanks.
Our citrus industry in Fl is also very vulnerable to weather changes and it is frustrating that you can not do much about it.
Hey, better you than us although it is chilly here. OK, it is only 42 degrees but we are central Florida!
Richard,
I am thinking that this is because of the global warming that is going on. Good luck on the spring weather returning to your area.
Here in NJ my rule of thumb is Mother's Day for tomato plants. Chilly here too, but the Pinelands are getting greener, so soon, but not soon enough for me! Hope those flurries aren't headed this way.
Dorie...
Thanks, I appreciate that very much!
Anne...
Seems like central Florida is in the clear this time! Thanks, as always.
Gary...
That's a little too close for comfort in April! Thanks for the local report!
Richard, We had a snow free March here in Cleveland and now I cannot see one blade of grass in my backyard, only 3 inches of snow! Looks like a white Easter for us!
Don...
I wasn't going to go there! lol
Laura...
We have a lot of leaves on the trees, and the later flowers such as roses are budding .... this is really late for us to get a hard freeze! My daughter's birthday is on Mother's Day ... SOMETIMES! lol
Barb...
These late wintry events can be very depressing! Let's get on with spring, shall we? THX
Good advice to shoot for 4/15. Here in Maryland, it's safe to plant around Mother's Day. April is unpredictable - every single coat hook at my house is used twice - never knowing if we need our winter coats or our spring jackets.
We didn't get any snow flurries, but it has sure been cold and windy here since yesterday morning. Not exactly what I expected in early Spring.
Richard - hoping this is the last cold spell this year. Planning on putting out my tomatoes and cukes, etc. this weekend. We are two weeks past the average last frost date. Unfortunately, that Jack guy obviously can't read the calendar.
I prepped everything but hesitated to start planting. I am sooo glad I did! We are getting close to freezing at night here. I have many pods with little buds waiting for tax day!
Brother Ricard - I was just speaking to my mom last night and she was telling me how cold it was and about the snow. Last year, the late freeze killed off their entire garden and they had to replant again.
Hi Richard,
I guess it didn't get as cold here as predicted...the flowers appear to be OK.
That's alright sir I will........
Richard: I'm sure there's a fair amount of intuition when it comes to gardening too. I can't wait until I have my thicket cleared in my backyard and can actually have a veggie garden.
Hey Richard...our more delicate stuff needs about memorial day to be safe!
I remember the freeze of 2007 that killed off a huge chunk of the peach crop and apple crop. Hope this is not a repeat. I love fresh local fruit
Richard, you just go with the flow with the weather and climate. Don't tell me about snow flurries. We haven't seena "flake" in Dallas in two years.
We have had the blanket of snow twice this week. But, it melted by noon. Beautiful photos, and very timely advice.
Linda...
I have always used April 15th here as the last frost date herein West Georgia. We always have tomatoes in time for the 4th of July! Thanks.
JL...
I believe the groundhog called it incorrectly this year! Sis weeks my foot! Thanks, my friend.
Big Mike...
Looks like we're in the clear for the foreseeable future. Go for it!
I really enjoy your pictures, and the message. Thanks.
We just had another little snow last weekend and possibly another this weekend. I'm ready for mother nature to give us "planting season"!
26 and snow flurries in Newnan? Man, you guys have ticked off Mother Nature. My guess is your snow will be gone long before ours though. haha