“When is it safe to plant summer annuals? Should I wait until after Mother’s Day to plant my marigolds, petunias, and other annuals? I live in Central Ohio.” Question from Diane of Newark, Ohio
Answer: Always plant warm-season annuals, like petunias and marigolds, after the threat of frost has passed. To do this, you need to know your last frost date. The Old Farmer’s Almanac provides this data. Every gardener should know both their first and last frost dates for the growing season. Here is the data that is yielded when I search using your Zipcode:
| Nearest Climate Station | Altitude | Last Spring Frost | First Fall Frost | Growing Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEWARK WATER WKS, OH | 836′ | May 4 | Oct 6 | 154 days |
To be safe, I always plant at least a week after my last frost date–especially if the weather has been temperamental. When planting your flowers, be sure to feed them with a fertilizer formulated for flowering plants, such as Proven Winners® Continuous Release Plant Food, and amend the soil with Black Gold Garden Compost Blend or Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss to improve its structure and fertility
Happy gardening,
Jessie Keith
Black Gold Horticulturist