When to plant

Question

I live in Michigan and we just endured another ice storm in APRIL. It begs the question, what are the telltale signs nature gives that lets us know it's now safe to plant our annuals? I don't plant until the end of May but wondered if nature tells us (old wives' tale, grandma's guess, etc) when it's time to plant.

2dogal · Answer

Go to your search engine and put in Last Frost Date and your zip code. It will give you a chart of not only the last frost date (it's OK to plant after that) but when it's a 50% chance of a late frost. Being from the south, I don't know nature's signals in Michigan, although I'm sure there are some. If you search for Nature's signs of a late frost, I'm sure some things will come up. I use fleece blankets that I got at thrift stores to cover my starts if a late frost occurs.

Patty S · Answer

You can plant color climate seeds now. Carrots, cabbage, lettuce, radishes, cauliflower and broccoli. Wait until the ground warms up for all of the rest. I usually plant after Memorial Day here in Door County, Wisconsin.

Naomie Moore aka baileyanddaisey, Castaic CA · Answer

Plants and animals give me clues. They know when to spring forth. Black crows and Canadian geese for me - there are always the forerunners, but when they turn up, I know it is time for the season to change slightly. One of my dogs sheds her coat, when she moults, the weather will change. Where I live in Southern CA we do not have sharp changes in seasons like the rest of the country, but it does change. When the fig trees start leafing out and forming fruit, winter, if you can call it that, is over. Chives are the first to pop up when spring is near. My grass grows faster, I have it cut on Saturdays, and if it is shaggy by Tuesday, spring is here! All very subtle, but noticeable if one pays attention.