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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Sorry, green thumbs... it's still too early to plant

Experts warn killing frost could be around corner

By: Carol Sanders

Posted: 04/27/2010 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

BORIS.MINKEVICH@FREEPRESS.MB.CA Enlarge Image

T & T Seeds workers Kathi Johnson (left) and Barbara Lecker get flowers ready for planting.

An early spring has ripened green thumbs and given gardeners the itch to plant.

But hold off, say greenhouse keepers and weather forecasters. It may feel warm now, but a killer frost is still likely.

"It is too early," said Kevin Twomey, owner of T & T Seeds.

Garden centres like his have been thriving thanks to the warm weather.

"Everybody wants everything, but it's not ready," said Twomey.

"They're getting mad at us (because) we don't have the plants available for them," said Shelmerdine Garden Centre greenhouse manager Deanne Cram.

People weren't clambering for bedding plants this early in 2009, when frost hit after the May long weekend.

"Last year we had a late spring," Twomey said. "It's very difficult" to know when gardeners will want to start buying their bedding plants.

There's a lot of pent-up demand after last year's miserable growing season, said Cram.

"It was late and wet and cold. It was a very harsh year over all. We had a late frost May 29. People who had planted annuals had cold damage. Then they pretty much gave up hope."

The early spring and warm spell have gardeners and garden centres looking up. "It's beautiful," said Cram. "The weather gods have blessed us this year."

Now's a good time to prepare, but not to plant, said Twomey.

To be safe, lore has it, don't plant until the first full moon after Earth Day. That would be May 27 this year.

"This is Manitoba -- we usually have frost warnings till June 7," said Cram.

She said they advise people who buy bedding plants to take them inside at night.

"Calgary just got snow," she said. "We never know what's coming our way."

Twomey said most gardeners in these parts are playing it safe.

"People are getting their gardens ready," he said. "They're buying lots of fertilizer."

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition April 27, 2010 A2

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