Zone 7 and 8 planting out early???

[gssgarden]

Anyone plan on planting out earlier than usual? I can't think with all this above average temps, it should be safe.

Last frost is around April 15th around here, some dates vary but I usually plant out a week before that. This year I was thinking about a week before that as well.

I've watched the forecast and see no danger of frost in site.

Anyone have any early plans?

Greg

[twillis2252]

IMO, I prefer to wait until very close to the actual date. Remember, soil temps are critical for proper growth. In the Carolinas, many years we get several days of freezing weather. Just ask a peach grower...

[Johnniemar]

I have planted 13 out so far in wall o waters and small hoop house. Zone 7b.

[peppero]

I plan on putting out some in two weeks.

Jon

[BigVanVader]

I'm gonna plant some next week, sacrificial lambs so to speak. The 6 week forcast for my zip shows nothing near freezing for next 6 weeks.

[Starlight]

I'm waiting. My target date is May 1 st. I keep watching them big cold dips in Canada and am not going to risk plants getting frost bit, especially when we have had bad frost way down here the last days of April.

Maybe I crazy, : ) but by then the soil is usually nice and warm, air temps are not too hot yet and generally, that still gives about 90 days before the extreme heat starts coming in.

[Gardeneer]

Originally Posted by gssgarden

Anyone plan on planting out earlier than usual? I can't think with all this above average temps, it should be safe.

Last frost is around April 15th around here, some dates vary but I usually plant out a week before that. This year I was thinking about a week before that as well.

I've watched the forecast and see no danger of frost in site.

Anyone have any early plans?

Greg

You have already got a good plan, I think.

I would check 15 days forecast around April 1st - 5th. If there is no frost in the sight I would go ahead and start planting out selectively, like one plant from each variety.
Also, always be prepared your plants in case the forecast proves to be wrong.

Needless to say that, your plant are hardened off prior to planting.

BTW: that is exactly my situation and plan. Though I do not fear frost much but extended cold weather. and rain.

Gardeneer

[brocnizer]

I live in North fl. Last year I had my first great crop. So many fruit I could not eat or give away fast enough. Around end of December I had about 30 plants sprout from fallen fruit. They survived atleast 15 nights mid 30s. Half of them are 5 inches tall now. Should I save their seeds as super fruit? I saw frost on them 4 time's at minimum

[AlittleSalt]

I'm in zone 8A Texas. I have lived here for almost 51 years. I've seen snow in April, frosts and freezes in early may, and that is more normal here than not. I am going to plant out way too early this year. Far from logic, not from a friend's recommendations, but from a feeling. Have you ever done something just from a feeling?

The plants will either grow or die. Logic can make us fearful. Sometimes taking a chance pays off. Our choices are our own.

[Gardeneer]

Originally Posted by brocnizer

I live in North fl. Last year I had my first great crop. So many fruit I could not eat or give away fast enough. Around end of December I had about 30 plants sprout from fallen fruit. They survived atleast 15 nights mid 30s. Half of them are 5 inches tall now. Should I save their seeds as super fruit? I saw frost on them 4 time's at minimum

Interesting .
I have had first hand experience with tomato plants out in mid 30s numerous times.
They are pretty cold hardy, more than a lot of people realize. But the thing is that they won't grow much in cold weather. When I plant out here in PNW, for the next 30 days the temps will be in 38 to 64F range. I manage to pick few ripe tomatoes around The 4th. Even then night lows will be in high 40s.

Gardeneer

[Cole_Robbie]

I'm rolling the dice for a warm spring. As soon as my plants are big enough to go into the ground, they're getting planted. First the high tunnel, then some low tunnels, then everything else. I'm hoping to be done planting by the last week of April. May is the normal garden-planting month here.

[AlittleSalt]

I have thought about this thread over-and-over.

Last year, I planted by the planting guidelines for the my area, and by what I have seen the weather do here for decades now. No one year is exactly like the one before. I listen to the weather reports, and hear, "The record high for today's date is 95F in 1943, and the record low 10F in 1902."

Last year was an odd year. The area I'm in received over 73" of rain - and yet during the summer, a record was set for the most consecutive days without any precipitation here. Both are all-time records for this area and they were both set in the same year.

Early this morning, I walked out and looked at the plants growing. It looks more like May here than March. Usually, on March 13, here, you are getting antsy about planting out tomato plants soon - is it too early? This year, I'm looking out the window and am thinking, "It's time to put the new blades on the mowers - it's time to mow already. " But still, in the back of my mind, I know it can hard freeze any time in the next 45 days or so.

I've been planting out tomato plants starting February 28th. I planted out 9 yesterday that I want to grow mainly to learn how to can them and make sauce and salsas. Today, I'm going to clear an area for my wife to plant morning glories and other climbing flowering plants. I started noticing the wild morning glories coming up about a week ago. We pulled some of them up yesterday evening - they already have root systems as large as the plants above ground. I take that as sign that it's time to plant.

[KarenO]

I don't know anybody who ever regretted waiting...
Best wishes whatever you decide
KarenO

[Gardeneer]

I think that Last Frost Date is a good bench mark. It is a is based on 10/90 statistical probability.
That meant 9 out of 10 there won't be a frost after that day but there is a 10% chance remaining. There is also a 5/95 LFD. Take your pick.
With today's weather science and forecasting we, the gardeners, have a lot of flexibility. We get good warnings days ahead and can protect our plants.

Gardeneer