When should I start planting my garden?
Warmer conditions may have you eager to get outside and plant flowers, fruit and vegetables. Depending on what you're growing, experts say you may want to wait a bit longer.
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00:00A warm spring day may have you eager to get outside and spruce up your garden, but depending
00:06on what you're planting, you may want to wait a bit longer.
00:09Patience pays off that we end up with better plant growth in the long run, better harvest
00:16if we take heed to what's happening not only right at this moment but in the next few weeks.
00:22Gardening expert Melinda Meyer says there are many things to keep in mind before you
00:26start planting, including air and soil temperatures.
00:30Soil can take longer to warm up, especially if it hasn't been consistently warm in your
00:35area.
00:36Some plants, radishes and peas can take it cooler in the 40 degrees, but tomatoes and
00:40peppers like it warm.
00:42They like that 65 degree soil temperature.
00:45Using a soil thermometer is one way to tell what's happening beneath the ground surface.
00:50You can also rely on weather data, like your area's average last frost date, to help decide
00:56when to get started.
00:57You know, what's the average rainfall supposed to be in your area and will the plants you
01:02select really thrive in those conditions?
01:05If weather conditions change after you plant, Meyer says there are things you can use to
01:09protect your garden, like row covers.
01:12You know, I find that these fabrics let air, light and water through, but they protect
01:16the plants from extremes in temperature depending on the weight, and also insects as well.
01:22For AccuWeather, I'm Emmy Victor.