Is Frost Still Possible? – Ag Matters

With temperatures cracking 90 in recent days and June rolling around on the calendar; it's hard to believe frost is still possible.  But CNY'ers know Mother Nature can be really fickle.  The Master Gardeners at Cornell Cooperative Extension say parts of Madison and Northern Oneida counties are still susceptible to a late chill.

The Master Gardeners say you should wait at least a week or two after the last frost to transplant or use seeds. And in Oneida, Herkimer and Madison Counties the last average frost date is around May 10 to May 30 in some locations. These dates are only guides; with changing weather patterns, there's no guarantee that frost won't occur even in warmer sections of the county.

When it comes to sensitive crops, like tomatoes as well as more tender ornamentals, nighttime temperatures need to be consistently above 45 degrees. Soil temperatures should be near 70 degrees. Consider using black plastic mulch to warm soil, or row covers to keep plants warm early in the season. Transplants exposed to colder temperatures (60 to 65 degrees during the day and/or 50 to 60 degrees at night) can stress sensitive plants. Stressed plants will not grow well and are a magnet for pests and disease issues. So, don't be in a rush; patience is a virtue when it comes to planting times.

For more information contact Cornell Cooperative Extension Oneida County’s Horticulture Hot Line Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:00am to 12:00pm at 736-3394.
SOURCE: Cornell Cooperative Extension