Shehawk (original poster member #68741) posted at 5:02 PM on Wednesday, April 1st, 2026
I am so wanting to plant things in zone 5b where temps. Premature plantation anyone?
Have ranged from 80 to 32 this past week.
so I need some experienced gardeners to weigh in and tell me what I can still plant (in containers) from seed and what I need to buy as plants
And the biggest question (besides the fact that I need a fenced garden area to be able to enjoy the first tomato much less any melons) is whether or not the old "don’t you dare plant before Easter" is still the "rule".
"It's a slow fade...when you give yourself away" so don't do it!
Tred ( member #34086) posted at 8:34 PM on Friday, April 3rd, 2026
It might be a little late this year, but look into winter sowing in containers. Basically, cut an old milk jug or similar around the middle and leave a hinge, fill with soil, plant seeds, and leave it out without a top on it. Plants know when to sprout, and the jug provides a little greenhouse effect to protect them. I don't have any advice on buying plants, I start everything from seed. For your melons you can get a 16' cattle panel and bend it over to make a trellis, most pests aren't into melons until they are ripe. Deer might eat the flowers. Most important date isn't "Easter" or "Mother's Day" - it's your last frost date. Just search for last frost date in your zip code and there will be plenty of information.
Happy Growing!
Married: 28 years (14 @JFO) D-Day: 11/09/11"Ohhhhh...shut up Tred!" - NOT the official SI motto (DS)
Shehawk (original poster member #68741) posted at 9:32 PM on Monday, April 6th, 2026
Thanks tred
The last frost almost seems like a floating holiday here. It’s projected to go into the lower 20’s here this week. I had one very brave daffodil for Easter (no chance of cut flowers we would usually have on the table). Iris are up but think I will need to figure out how to cover them.
But you have given me some good ideas!
"It's a slow fade...when you give yourself away" so don't do it!
