March is a really good time to plant spring flowers, particularly if the last frosts have passed. If not, be sure to only put in frost-tolerant plants for now. Otherwise, wait until spring warmth is more consistent before putting in spring flowers.
Most flowers should be planted after your region's last frost date. Planting flowers in spring is the most popular time, but perennials do fine if planted in early fall in the North and late fall in the South.
No, April isn't too early to plant annuals. You can sow annual seeds in early spring while most container varieties should wait until late spring for best results.
March may be a good time to plant perennials, depending on when your last frost date is. You can safely plant frost-tolerant perennials 2-3 weeks before your last spring frost. Growing spring-blooming perennials is a great way to add a splash of color and beauty to your garden.
May is the month to assemble pots and containers for the rest of the growing season. They aren't just for summer; spared an early frost, tender container plants can still look great at the end of October, so it pays to devote some time and resources to getting them right.
If you're wondering at what temperature threshold you should be bringing your plants, there's a short answer: when nighttime temperatures reach 45 degrees (F), it's time to bring your plants indoors.
The best month to plant flowers in spring is really down to the USDA hardiness zone you live in and the likely last frost date. This is likely to be from around March, but if you live in a northern zone, be sure to plant frost-tolerant perennials until you are happy that the risk to more tender flowers has passed.
April offers mild temperatures and plenty of sunlight, making it a great month for planting seeds outdoors. Depending on your climate and the type of plants you are growing, some may do better planted later in spring or early summer.
Carrot seeds can also be sown, as well as beetroot, kale, leeks, broccoli, horseradish, chicory, and turnips. Spring onions are also great early vegetables to plant in March, as well as spinach (make sure the soil is enriched with organic matter), peas, shallots and parsnips.
April is the best time to plant most of your vegetable seeds after your last frost for all zones. It's still not too late to plant tomatoes and peppers from seeds as well! Check out the below vegetables that can be started in April. Be sure to check your gardening zone for last frost dates.
Plants and Planting
Pansy roots will not function when soil temperatures are below 45°F. When soil warms to about 65°F (about two to three weeks before frost-free date), cool tolerant plants can be planted, such as nemesia, diascia, snapdragons, alyssum, osteospermum, mimulus, lobelia and petunias.
Soil temperature plays a critical role in seed germination, transplant establishment and plant growth rate. Some cool-season annuals can tolerate soil temperatures as low as 45 degrees Fahrenheit; however, most cool-season annuals will grow best in soil temperatures at 65 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer.
Some of the best flowers to plant in May can be grown directly from seed, including poppies, lantana, and sunflowers. Other choices do best when purchased as established plants, such as marigolds or hibiscus plants. However, some flowers planted during this month come back year after year, such as lavender and catmint.
Flowers that come back up from their roots every year in the springtime are called “perennial” flowers. Some of the best perennial flowers to grow in a garden are peonies, daylilies, coneflowers, and hollyhocks.
Turn the soil over to a depth of at least 12 inches. Add 2-3 inches of compost and turn it into the bed. Either cover the bed with a thick (3-4") layer of mulch or use a weed and feed to help keep weed seeds from germinating. Top dress with another layer of compost to keep down weeds and preserve moisture.
The latest time to plant for most vegetables would be the second week in June with a short harvest time. If planting crops that mature within 50 days, you could plant those as late as the last week in June, but keep in mind the weather will be turning cooler, especially at night. Cool crops are best for late plantings.
April through May is usually the recommended bare root rose planting season for the northernmost areas of the U.S., from USDA Zones 1 through 5. Ideally, that would be the first couple of weeks in April for Zones 4 and 5, and the first couple of weeks in May for Zones 1 through 3.
Starting too soon can result in a weak, lanky plant, while starting too late can give you one that is just not ready for the outside world—both will struggle to survive! Here's what you should take into consideration before planting.
Usually, it's recommended to plant your flowers directly in the ground. That's what gives the plant the most freedom to grow and search for nutrients. But in some cases, it's best to consider the pot in pot concept for planting your plants in the ground without removing the pot you purchased them in.
Flower seed packets rarely list estimated days to maturity, but most annual flowers need about 95 days from seed to flower. The ones that made my list start popping blooms in 60 to 70 days when grown under spring conditions, and they also tolerate light frost.
With that in mind, experts generally recommend flowers and other houseplants be brought inside or otherwise protected before the thermometer dips below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. For warmer-weather and tropical plants, that threshold is a bit higher, at around the 50-degree mark.