When To Plant Summer Plants Outside

 I know that we’re all really excited about putting our summer crops out. Here are a few tips on getting your timing right with summer crops.

Get to know which plants are tolerant of cold temperaturesare or sensitive to frost and which are not (See my FREE summer planting guide) Even if a plant does not experience frost, cold nights and windy rainy weather can be very stressful for heat loving plants. Short list of frost sensitive crops are: tomatoes, peppers, basil, beans, melons, cukes, squashes and some flowers.

Get to know the Last frost date for your particular region or neighborhood. If you are new to the area or don’t know when your last frost date is, I suggest you don’t look on social media and get advice from someone who doesn’t live where you do. Find out from someone who lives in your valley, slope or your ridgline when they plant their summer crops. Frost is very region specific, 1/2 of a mile can make a huge difference. Asking locally is a great way to get to know your neighbors, talk about the weather and build community. Maybe you can share vegetables or collaborate on a seed saving project.

I live in Southern Oregon which is Zone 7. Our last frost date is June 1st. In the 30 years I have lived here, I have seen many frosts in the month of May and many cold nights. In the Rogue Valley Floor, towns such as Medford and Grants Pass most people report May 15th. Some say Mother’s day. Some say watch for 7 days of nightime temperatures above 45 degrees.

Overall, I would err on the side of being cautious. In the 30 years I have lived in Southern oregon I have seen frost the last 2 weeks of may . I am often wearing a wool sweater on May evenings, which is too cold for heat loving plants.

If the weather is cold plants might not die of frost, but they would be stressed. It is very difficult for a heat loving tomato plant to be thriving in a cold environment. When a plant becomes stressed it’s susceptible to disease and the plant becomes set back and will have to recover it’s vigor. Cold nights, windy rain are not conditions for growth but yet an opportunity for the plants to decline.

I suggest, you find a way to keep that tropical environment going for your plants by finding a way to give them a few weeks of the pampered life. Pot up your plants into bigger sizes so they do not become root bound. Once a plant is root bound (especially the cucurbit family) they have a hard time recovering there ummph.

If you don’t have a greenhouse, there are some easy low tech ways to keep your plants growing on safely: 1) you can put your plants on a wagon or sled and move them in and out each day. Try to find a warm sunny wall during the day that is protected from the wind.

2) Use clear plastic totes as instant mini greenhouse. Be sure to prop up one side for ventilation.

3) Use old windows as a cover surrounded by strawbales or wood or simply lean the windows up against a wall.