After reading many of your posts about germinating seeds, etc., I'm getting worried. I just got the seeds I ordered, and wanted to get them planted this weekend. The last frost is 4/22 per the almanac. Am I too late? I sure hope not - I really wanted to start from seeds this year.

*****

Not all zone 5's are the same as regards last average frost date but I don't know any of them that have a date of the third week in April as you've indicated.

Last average frost date for me in zone 5 is May 15th and I won't set out plants until two weeks later b'c frosts do occur that late.

So my seeds are started about April 1st, and with a week of hardening off are ready to set out about the first of June, weather permitting.

Perhaps a call to your local Coop Ext service could confirm that last average frost date for you b'c I'm not sure what you mean by an almanac date. ( smile)

Carolyn

Thanks, Carolyn. I am such a newbie at this, I just pulled up the Old Farmer's Almanac online, put in my zip code and viola! a last frost date of 4/22. As a long suffering resident of Chicago, where winter is still in full force with no end in sight, I should know better! The past few years we've bought small tomato plants and planted them late in May. So it looks like I have plenty of time. I'll call a few places locally to get a more realistic date. I'm glad you replied - I think I was getting ready to plant too early now. This is my first time starting from seed, and I'm a nervous nelly. Thanks.

Agree with Carolyn - April 22 is my last frost date down here in AR so I think you'd really be in trouble using it in Chicago.;)

Here's a recent article from the Chicago Tribune on last frost dates throughout Chicagoland.

And this discussion on Chicago frost dates is from the Midwest gardening forum here at GW.

Hope they help.

Dave

Thanks so much! I am close enough to the lake that I think 4/22 isn't that far off the mark, now that I've read the great articles you provided. Nonetheless, I'm holding off til at least mid May to be on the safe side. This winter doesn't seem to be in any hurry to leave!
Thanks again.

Hello everyone...i live in denver, CO. I am planning to plant tomatoes outside on JUN 1st.
My question is..when should I start the seedlings inside. Should I start the cold tolarent varieties first or, I can start all varieties together. I do have pretty good setup inside for the size of the plant, however I do not want to to be too big either. thanks for your time.

I use the 8 week rule....
Last frost + 2 weeks - 4 weeks - 4 weeks = date to start seeds.

Last frost = 4/15
+ 2 weeks = 4/29 (You know these are only averages so why take a chance!)
-4 weeks = 4/1 (Potting up and hardening off out side)
-4 weeks = 3/4 (Seeds to germination to growing before potting up)

Also, while your last frost may be 4/22, it may not get warm enough to support good root growth untill a month or two later (especially in a zone 5.) So I think you'll be in fine shape.

sanj, based on my meethod, you should start seeds around 4/6.

Lee

Thank you Lee. Yup...I will start around first week of April. Hopefully by then, I am all set on my pepper plants, which are already started.

sanj,

I live just north of Denver and I will probably be starting my tomatoes within the next couple of weeks. I usually start them way early but then pot-up a couple of times so they are good and ready to go when I finally plant them out.

I plant mine under a hoop house in mid-April, and then remove the plastic from the hoop house once the frost danger has past. Don't forget, we had frost on June 11th last year.

--->Rob