Questions for Paul and Midwesterners

[gardengalrn]

I have been trying to find a last frost date for my area, as I am itching to get some things started. The 3 choices are Blair and North Platte, NE or Topeka KS. Topeka has a last frost date of April 21. Blair, NE is April 27 and North Platte is May 11. These are roughly equal distances away, as I'm in Republic Co in KS. I figured I would shoot for the first week in May, of course with all the usual disclaimers about unpredictable weather. Does this sound about right? If so, I should be able to get started on peppers soon then tomatoes a few weeks later.
When do you normally plant things like onions, potatoes and peas? I think Dixondale is shipping my onions in the middle of next month and I wondered if that is too soon (this was according to the zip code shipping guide). Kentucky's weather was a lot milder and even then I sometimes jumped the gun on those spring crops.

[PaulF]

Gardengalrn:

We are about 30 miles north of you and about 50 miles east and our last average frost is April 29. The 99% frost free date is May 12. Republic County is about the same as Topeka and their average last frost the Ap 21 date, but frost free is closer to May 6-10. Republic County (Belleville) is a bit less protected from the winds than hillier Topeka. If you can find information on Beatrice, Nebraska for frost dates, that would be pretty close. I'll make a couple of calls and post what I find out.

All that being said, we would be very similar in planting times. My brother, just north of Topeka plants peppers and tomatoes the first week of May and many of his friends shoot for the last week of April. I am starting my tomatoes and peppers inside this week, just so the people I supply around Topeka will have plants by the last week of April. I plant tomatoes and peppers after the first week of May. Melons that week too. Green beans and cukes whenever I get around to it either before or after tomatoes.

Potatoes, peas and onions can go in the ground from mid-March to the first week of April. Any later than that and the heat gets them. I am always too late with peas and lettuce just because I am not yet used to the earlier planting times here. If you plant turnips, they also can be planted at the same time so they don't bolt.

So, are you finally making the move? If you need any help with anything just let us know.

[PaulF]

According to the Kansas State Extension, Belleville area 95% last frost date is May 13 with average last frost April 25. Concordia, just to the south is three days earlier on both.

[elkwc36]

I used to shoot for a April 15th-20th transplant date. Due to the late cold spells the last several years I'm moving it up to the first week of May on tomatoes and the 15th on the peppers. If we have a warm spring I may regret it but last year had to hold plants too long and they got too big for their pots. This is just my experience. Jay

[gardengalrn]

Thanks for all the help. I think I will shoot for a date the first week of May. I started my peppers this morning but they don't get as unruly as the tomatoes do It is very helpful to hear what others in the area are doing. I guess my onion shipment will be right on the mark then. Paul, yes I have made the move and am really excited to get the garden going since I couldn't do one last year. I appreciate the offer of help.