TRANSPLANTING IN SO MAINE - Ask Extension
In General, when is the best time--weatherwise-- to set transplants into the garden in York ME?For example, tomatoes, peppers, cukes, etc......Dan, in...
Knowledgebase
TRANSPLANTING IN SO MAINE #245213
Asked May 18, 2015, 8:07 AM EDT
In General, when is the best time--weatherwise-- to set transplants into the garden in York ME?
For example, tomatoes, peppers, cukes, etc......
Dan, in York ME.
For example, tomatoes, peppers, cukes, etc......
Dan, in York ME.
York County Maine
Expert Response
Dear Dan,
Last frost dates are based on averages over a number of years, and are therefore not precise dates for planting. Many gardeners choose to wait a week or two after the average last frost date to allow for a measure of safety. For reference, here are the averages for Maine: http://www.plantmaps.com/interactive-maine-last-frost-date-map.php
In addition to air temperature, hardiness depends on the type of soil you have, the amount of moisture in the soil, and the varieties of vegetables you choose. Here are hardy varieties for your area: http://umaine.edu/publications/2190e/
A much more reliable technique is to use the soil temperature. Soil thermometers are quite inexpensive, and are generally available at garden centers. This article on Soil Temperature as a Guide to Spring Planting contains a link to a planting chart that shows the optimum soil temperatures for germinating most common vegetables: http://umaine.edu/gardening/blog/2012/05/03/maine-home-garden-news-may-2012/#article-1
Regardless of when you do your planting, you should have a back-up plan to protect your tender crops in event of an unseasonably late frost. This can be as simple as throwing light plastic over the beds at night. (You might want to place supports such as stakes to keep the cover raised above the plants.)
Last frost dates are based on averages over a number of years, and are therefore not precise dates for planting. Many gardeners choose to wait a week or two after the average last frost date to allow for a measure of safety. For reference, here are the averages for Maine: http://www.plantmaps.com/interactive-maine-last-frost-date-map.php
In addition to air temperature, hardiness depends on the type of soil you have, the amount of moisture in the soil, and the varieties of vegetables you choose. Here are hardy varieties for your area: http://umaine.edu/publications/2190e/
A much more reliable technique is to use the soil temperature. Soil thermometers are quite inexpensive, and are generally available at garden centers. This article on Soil Temperature as a Guide to Spring Planting contains a link to a planting chart that shows the optimum soil temperatures for germinating most common vegetables: http://umaine.edu/gardening/blog/2012/05/03/maine-home-garden-news-may-2012/#article-1
Regardless of when you do your planting, you should have a back-up plan to protect your tender crops in event of an unseasonably late frost. This can be as simple as throwing light plastic over the beds at night. (You might want to place supports such as stakes to keep the cover raised above the plants.)
