Many gardeners are wondering if it is safe to plant things in their gardens? Many gardeners have already planted crops and are wondering if their plants are going to be ok.

There is no question that we have been having some crazy spring weather and it’s not over yet. We know that weather here in the Kansas City area normally fluctuates quite a bit but this year we are having some abnormally cold temperatures.

In a normal year, it is safe to set out cool season plants (like cabbage, broccoli, collards, kale and lettuce) around March 25. This year we have been having temperatures in the mid-twenties (24-27 degrees) which can damage the cool season plants if they are not protected with row cover. Some locations have had temperatures as low as 20 degrees.

This weekend they are predicting a low of 19 for Friday plus snow and then a possibility of 1-3 inches of snow on Sunday. I am recommending that people postpone setting out plants until Tuesday, April 10th when it looks like we will be past the danger of a hard freeze. It is ok now to plant seeds, onion bulbs, seed potatoes and fruit plants (like fruit trees or berries).

If you have already set out plants, it is worth trying to protect them by covering them up for Friday night. If you do lose plants, it will give you more space for later planting warm season plants like peppers and tomatoes.