I'm gardening in zone 5b, and my last frost date is around mid-May. I've noticed a lot of volunteer plants sprouting where typically you'd wait to sow after the last frost. Can someone explain the benefits of holding off on direct sowing until after frost has passed?
3 Answers
The main reason to wait is that those volunteer plants might not survive the next frost. While some might make it, if you’re investing in seeds and prepping the soil, it's best to ensure that frost doesn't ruin your hard work.
Definitely! If you get an early warm spell and your seeds germinate but then a frost hits, it can wipe out your seedlings. It’s a gamble to plant too early, especially if you're looking for a good harvest.
It really depends on the plants. Some seeds won’t germinate until the soil is warm enough, so planting them too early means they might just sit there. Others, like snap peas, can be sown early—they're more forgiving and I’ve had success with them in zone 6b. You might consider trying methods like winter sowing to get a head start!
Totally agree! I've tried similar methods and they can work wonders, especially for those plants that need a little warmth to sprout.