2) COOL-SEASON ANNUALS - Frost-tolerant annuals, safe to plant in the garden prior to the frost free date; pansies, violas, snapdragons, petunias, sweet alysssum, dianthus stock and lobelia
Cool-season annuals
- Plants that are frost tolerant (down to mid 20's F), that can be planted now to awaken our gardens with color
- Possible plants: Pansies and violas, Primroses, Bellis (English daisies), Sweet alyssum, Stock, Snapdragons, Forget-me-nots
Warm-season annuals
- Plants that need warm soil temperatures to develop and grow, 65-70 degrees F
- Plants: Geraniums, Impatiens, Begonias, Torenias, Cupheas, Zinnias, Vincas, Nicotianas, Celosias, Portulacas, etc.
- If you have already planted these plants because the weather has tempted you, be prepared to protect them if freezing temperatures are predicted; covering with large sheets to hold ground temperatures around the plants usually is satisfactory.
A) Cool season; lettuce, peas, onions, cabbage, kale, spinach, radish
B) Warm season; tomatoes, peppers, cucumber, corn. zucchini
C) Plant most transplants at the same level at which they were growing, the one exception is tomatoes - to encourage additional rooting, strip the leaves off the stem and plant 4-6 inches deeper, laying the stem on its side, and covering it with soil
5) HERBS - most herbs require warm soil temperatures and full sun to perform best, especially basil (which does not like temperatures to go below 40 degrees F)
6) PERENNIALS - It is completely safe to plant any perennials now, especially natives (so use your energy on the perennial beds until the temperatures warm up)
Chalet Nursery
3132 Lake Ave
Wilmette
(847) 256-0561
Chaletnursery.com
