Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – April 13, 2022
WHEN CAN I START PLANTING FLOWERS IN NJ?
Spring has arrived on the calendar here in New Jersey – leaves are emerging on trees and daffodils are brightening many yards. You may be tempted to venture outside and plant spring annuals or reseed your lawn, but don’t start your gardening yet. Even though it’s April, a spring frost can ruin your efforts if you plant too early.
Temperatures in early April in NJ can fluctuate from the 30°F range to the upper 60°F. Is there a way to estimate when it’s safe to fertilize your lawn or plant popular spring annuals such as impatiens, petunias, or marigolds?
Most local gardening experts say it’s safest to wait until after Mother’s Day to plant seeds or potted annuals in the ground to avoid any late frost. You can also use the Farmer’s Almanac to find the last frost date for your specific area. For example, in the Princeton-Hightstown area, the last spring frost date is May 2.
However, you can safely plant a few vegetables in the colder April days, such as spinach, potatoes, and peas. These hardy vegetables won’t be affected by a late frost.
