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Old March 1, 2016   #1
GaryStPaul
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Default Northern Plains Gardeners—Starting early this year?

Hi, neighbors. Given the mild winter and predictions in some quarters for an earlier, warmer spring, I wonder if many of you are thinking of moving up your start date. I usually sow seeds around the 20th of March, but am tempted to go maybe 10 days or so earlier. Thoughts?

Gary
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Old March 1, 2016   #2
PaulF
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Along way south of you, but we have no frost in the ground. Southern Nebraska is part of the Great Plains maybe not the Northern Plains. Peppers and herbs are started and tomatoes will be next week. This is a week early just in case the normal plant out date May 10 or so weather comes early. Sure feels like an early spring.
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Old March 1, 2016   #3
jmsieglaff
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I think an early spring can still have a late frost. It can be warm for weeks and then have one last cold push with a frosty 32F morning. If you have the ability to provide protection if needed, I'd say go for it if you want. I'll be starting my seeds the same as every year.
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Old March 1, 2016   #4
carolyn137
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GaryStPaul View Post
Hi, neighbors. Given the mild winter and predictions in some quarters for an earlier, warmer spring, I wonder if many of you are thinking of moving up your start date. I usually sow seeds around the 20th of March, but am tempted to go maybe 10 days or so earlier. Thoughts?

Gary
You bet I've got some thoughts.

Don't start earlier since you know what can happen as to late frosts,etc., and then when it comes time to plant out it will rain forever and you and the plants will be stuck.

And N0 don't plant out earlier since I haven't had time to send you the varieties I suggested for you but yes,I can meet your earlier date if I must.

And for others, Gary and I have known each other for MANY years, he's a francophile from way back which is why I try to send him varieties from France,and the good news is that he send me rose plants he's propagated in return.

Just for you Gary,it's Lillian Gibson,see,I didn't even have to remember since that name is etched on my brain cells now.For others,that rose variety is spectacular,a once bloomer but covered in pink blossoms and flowers, a wonderful variety.

Carolyn,who of course never has advice for others.
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Old March 1, 2016   #5
ddsack
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Here in the Northern part of the state, we still have about 8" of snow in the woods, and it was -5 F below overnight, so I'm not as excited about an early spring as those further south. But I'm pretty sure once the weather warms up again we should lose snow fast. I can't at this point plan to plant out too much earlier, but my plants are usually quite large at plant out anyway, so they could go in ground earlier if the weather seemed stable. I do hope to start heating my greenhouse a couple of weeks earlier if our night temps get milder than normal, mostly so I can do earlier flower seeding and those tomatoes and peppers destined for pots. So in that respect I'm hoping to start some things earlier than normal.
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Old March 1, 2016   #6
Captain Neon
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This is only my second season here in Central Minnesota. I will be starting my seedlings inside around St. Patrick's Day. I do a staggered start with my tomatoes starting May 1st, one or two seedlings each weekend, and baby them all a lot with room temperature water and wind protection. I keep a close eye on the weather and cover if overnight temp. predicted to be less than 40F. Hedging my bets, you might say. I finally plant the bulk over Memorial Day weekend. That's what I did last year. When I lived in southern Minnesota and northern Missouri, I planted out on Mother's Day. I may be tempted to do an early plant out, but my work schedule is such any ways that one big plant out is probably out of the question, just the same.
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Old March 1, 2016   #7
Douglas14
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Gary,
I'm thinking of starting my tomato seeds around March 17(St. Patrick's Day) this year. It would be a little earlier than usual(which I think is around March 20-25). If the 10 day and long range forecast looks good, I may be able to plant out in the May 10-15 range. Of course there can be risks to planting out early, but I plan on having a good supply of backup plants.
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