I feel for you, Maupin. I planted peas on the first of the month, and the temp is supposed to drop to 28 degrees here tomorrow night. I think an Arctic freeze is going to capture most of the US then, but it looks like it will move on from here by the next day. Maybe you, too?

Mine may be more damaged by the cold than yours though. They haven't broken ground, but if they've broken through the outer seed layer, I think that isn't good, even if they're still underground. No doubt the soil around them will freeze at that temp. But I knew something like this was entirely possible, so I can take it :-).

Spinach will be fine, for sure. Peas probably ok, too, although they might rot before the germinate, weather when it breaks will be key. But, lots of people are now into "winter sowing" of all kinds of things, and it seems to work well.

As long as the ground is not frozen you should be ok. We can sow peas here in the fall, because the ground does not freeze. Hard frozen ground will do a number on them during the spring thaw. If your ground is not frozen 6-10 inches deep, already, you should not have any worries from here on out.

Planning to do the same in 2 days (once this latest deep freeze front passes). Am also presprouting many sugar snaps just in case. Good luck to us all! ;)

Dave

I planted two rows of Sugar Ann, a sugar snap rec'd by the NCSU Extension Services here, just yesterday, but I think I will be fine as well. Looks like the next 10 days will be moderate temps here, so I figured what the heck.

I have a raised bed, 11' deep, sitting on concrete. It doesn't seem to be freezing. Should I risk planting winter type veggies this time of year? When would I know if they are going to grow?
I'm in Chicago, zone 5, a slightly warmer microclimate than the surronding areas.

Shilohyn, It seems early to me, but then we have been hammered with snow and cold the last few weeks and that may bias my view.

But if your area is small and you are willing to replant, why not give it a try? If you have extra seeds or transplants you don't have much to lose. If the early planting grows, great! If not, replant in 3 or 4 weeks. Just gotta decide what you're willing to risk.

Guess you don't have the 2 feet of snow that we have. I always think of Chicago as being only a bit warmer and more advanced in the season than the Grand Rapids, MI area. Must not be like that now.

Well, you did jump the gun, but when those babies come up (some of them will) cover them with a plastic jug cloche and they will probably be fine. Spring can be cruel! Soil temperatures warm enough to get seeds up are likely to be followed by some cold, cold winds, so you gotta be ready to provide protection.

I my experience, spinach doesn't mind early planting one bit, but my early peas rarely do as well as those I plant later, about 3 weeks before my last frost date.

Here is a link that might be useful: my website