I feel the warm weather upon us, with the average date of last frost (April 15th) approaching, the big urge is to run out and fill the flower beds with color. Well, you can definitely start now get your beds ready and start adding some perennials, and some of the earlier annuals, such as snapdragons, petunia's, lobelia, and dianthus, if there is a frost cover them with a sheet they will be fine, do not use plastic, ice can still form underneath the plastic, damaging your plants

.... leave room for the warmer varieties which need warmer night time temperatures to flourish., these plants include begonia's, impatiens, gerbra daisies, geraniums, and vinca to name a few, and your tomato plants wait, I plant mine toward the end of may, tomato's and peppers luv the hot weather and I get plenty out of the garden.

Have some patience, wait for the warm weather before you plant other varieties of flowers.....

The days may start to feel warm soon but you have to wait for night time temperature to rise........

impatiens & geraniums like temperatures above 55 degrees. It does not take long for them to be affected by cold temps so be patient. You won't be looking at geraniums without blooms on them in June wondering how long it will take for them to come around.

Also....

New Guinea Impatiens, Non-Stop Begonia's, and Vinca like temperatures 60 and above, 65 is even better.  Your NG Impatiens and Non-Stops will wilt and Vinca will turn brown on the edges  so remember....

The early bird may get the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese!

*** So be Patient ***

-- Elizabeth DeLaney

Patty's Farm Market