MIDDLEFIELD, Conn. – Warmer temperatures and sunshine have many New Englanders eager to start their gardens, but experts caution that it’s still too early for most planting.
“Gorgeous day, we are going down to Hammonasset,” said Susan Grillon, who stopped at Wadsworth Falls on the way with her husband. “Neither one of us had commitments today, how often does that happen?”
While signs of spring are emerging, experts say unpredictable New England frost could damage crops planted too soon.
“We have probably broken through, skunk cabbage coming up over there, a harbinger of spring,” Grillon said. However, at Country Flower Farms in Middlefield, owner Paul Schatzman says it’s still not time to plant most flowers and vegetables.
“You have parsleys, lettuce, basils, sages, we actually do about 150 varieties of herbs,” Schatzman said while walking through his greenhouse. He expects a rush of customers once the season begins.
“They can’t wait to come and generally speaking, they flood us right away,” he said.
Schatzman says pansies and hellebores can handle a cold night or two, but most other plants should wait.
“Other than pansies and hellebores, there isn’t much,” he said. “There are some cold crop vegetables.”
At UConn’s Home and Garden Education Center, Heather Zidack warns that both air and ground temperatures need to be considered before planting.
“Keeping your eye to the sky and knowing what’s going on, is really going to give you a key,” she said.
Instead, Zidack recommends pruning non-spring blooming plants, clearing leaf litter, or prepping equipment for the season.
Schatzman encourages gardeners to visit Country Flower Farm, which opens on March 20. “We really do try to give you the right tip, the right answer,” he said.
