What is the earliest time that I can plant?

Question

I know I'm a little anxious (it's only January) but I was wondering when I could plant bushes and flowers.

Answer 1

Once you can dig into the ground, plant-away.
Just protect the root ball with mulch of some type, wood chips, etc., compress the soil around the roots to get the air out, and stake the tree or bush so that it doesn't blow over.
Also, make sure to water it well for the first year until it is established.
I planted a live Christmas tree in NW Indiana on January 2nd one year, and it survived and is kicking a_ss 20 years later.

Answer 2

As you didn't include zone info, I am going to assume you are a true novice gardener.

So, here are some tips.

If you can dig a hole in the ground, and the dirt isn't mud you can plant shrubs and trees. Chance are they are dormant, and won't know the difference. Just be sure you water them regularly.

The next group of things you can plant are perennials and woody shrubs. These are pretty hardy and if it freezes, it won't kill them because they are in tune with your seasons. If the nursery outlets are offering perennials, chances are they are from a warmer locale, and although they could freeze back, they will eventually recover.

As for things you start from seed and annuals (that last a single growing season), if the ground isn't warm enough the seed just rots. They also need a certain number of daylight hours sometimes to sprout. That usually means at least between February 15 or March 15. So if things freeze at night or during the day these also need to be kept about 32 degrees. You really need to know the last frost dates in your area for this group. There are a group of plants that do benefit from "winter sowing" usually plants that need stratification (a period of cold). There are some neat articles on winter seed sowing on the internet.

What I would recommend is spend some of these early spring months getting up to speed and collecting ideas. Lots of areas have home and garden shows that display landscaping including shrubs and host seminars for gardeners to learn about gardening, including hands on classes (cheap). There are usually shows like this in major metro areas. Do a search for garden shows.

If you have some existing landscaping, this is sometimes a good time to do chores like cleaning up garden beds for spring, top-dressing with composed cow manure, trimming certain shrubs and vines, cleaning tools, planning and designing new gardens.

Good luck and welcome to the joys and addiction of gardening!

Answer 3

It depends on where you live, based on when there is no danger of frost.
Here is a good link to determine when you can plant.
This link will tell you what zone you are in, and most flowers and shrubs will be tagged to let you know when you can plant them in your climate zone.

Answer 4

Depending on where you live after winter and after the dangers of frost so usually around end of March early April. You could always plant indoors

Answer 5

HELLO AGAIN. Try finding ' THE OLD FARMERS ALMANAC.' it is a yellow paperback usually obtainable in the check-out aisle of a large grocery store. If memory serves me correctly, this publication was instituted by Benjamin Franklin, many years ago.
There you will find timetables for planting and much other usefull and interesting information. Not too expensive either
HAPPY HUNTING !

Answer 6

It seriously depends on where you live.. You need to wait until we are through all the freezes so that the freeze does not kill your plants.. I would say around April...

Answer 7

depends on what climate zone you live in and on what type of plants you're putting out.