In autumn, it’s easier to tell when to stop gardening: the first hard frost kills off many of the summer plants, and gardeners scramble to pick the last fruits before the frost damages them. Spring timing is a bit tougher… it warms up, cools down, warms up… essentially the reverse of the fall. Gardeners eagerly check the forecast to see if seedlings can be moved outdoors and late spring planting can start.
Early spring seeds are already in the ground. Peas, radishes, potatoes, and salad greens have already emerged, the lilacs and strawberries have flowered, and volunteer tomatoes are popping up in odd places. But those the pepper seedlings are getting a bit large for their starter pods, and I really want to get the okra and squash seeds started outside. (While squash can be started inside, I generally only start plants insides that are supposed to start before our last frost date.)
The general rule around here for the squash family is to start after Mother’s Day, except Mother’s Day was early this year, and we’ve had frost on the ground almost every morning since then. Until today, that is, and the forecast for the week is looking promising.