Just wondering cuz I had bed sheets out a few weeks ago to protect some of my early plants. I did not want to wash all those sheets if I was going to have to put them out again...so they are sitting in a basket in the laundry room. Can anyone tell me the average last freeze date? I'd like to wash these sheets and put them away if the garden is out of danger.

Thanks!

In the Midwest, who knows!!! I think last year in south central Wisconsin we had a freeze (or was it just a frost?) pretty late in May. As for this year, the temps are too weird to even have a clue ~Jan

May 15th here, I think. You may be close to being in the clear according to this listing http://www.naturalgardening.co... .

We're forecasted 3 nights in a row of low 30's beginning tomorrow night.

Hopefully, the cloud cover will hang around until this is past.

Thanks Ladies, there is a variety of info. out there with differnet dates, sigh. I guess I won't get in a rush.

philljm said:In the Midwest, who knows!!! I think last year in south central Wisconsin we had a freeze (or was it just a frost?) pretty late in May. As for this year, the temps are too weird to even have a clue ~Jan

I would wait until mother's day. But it has been so warm lately!!!!

Hi drewtoby, I think that is a good idea. I'm holding off on buying/annuals till then. It is hard to believe at this point there will be another frost but I've been "bit" before.

Maridell, in zone 4b (which is where I am/was until the USDA changed me to 5a but I don't necessarily believe it) I would wait until at least Memorial Day to consider it safe, or, better yet, until after the full moon in early June. And even then, "who knows" ??

Thanks Sandy. My husband got tired of looking at the basket of sheets and washed them

I have put off planting any annuals...but will probably cave in the next week and go shopping.

Just planted my tomatoe and pepper plants in a large planter and big pots yesterday. Will keep an eye on the weather forcast and cover them if the temps get to cold. I usually wait until Memorial Day, but got spring fever this year they won't be hard to cover if needed. The plants have been outdoors except for one night since I bought them around the first of May.

I have all my annuals and will likely plant them next week or if the temps are to cold I can always put them in the garage at night.

Maridell said:Just wondering cuz I had bed sheets out a few weeks ago to protect some of my early plants. I did not want to wash all those sheets if I was going to have to put them out again...so they are sitting in a basket in the laundry room. Can anyone tell me the average last freeze date? I'd like to wash these sheets and put them away if the garden is out of danger.

Thanks!

This search works for me every time...

*"State university" extension last frost date*

in your case: "Iowa state university extension last frost date" yielded http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm...

great advice, Evan -- the extension services have a wealth of information (speaking as a Michigan State alumnus )

Thank you Evan!

I noticed in the newspaper we are forecasted to have a low of 38 tonight, brrr.

Your welcome.

I buy my annuals before Memorial Day weekend just to avoid the crazy crowd rush. But I usually wait until then to plant them - and most go in planters and pots by the front of house so are more protected from cold. I just don't trust the weather here before then! The latest killing frost I remember here was a June many years ago - I remember it clearly because I was driving to friends' wedding and all the corn and soybean plants that had come up were frozen in the fields. Sad for the farmers especially.
I have had springs where daffodil buds froze on the plants. It was very sad....

Ginni

eclayne said:
This search works for me every time...

*"State university" extension last frost date*

in your case: "Iowa state university extension last frost date" yielded http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm...

I am surprised a little bit that there is almost a month, last chance, between Keokuk and Decorah Iowa as Iowa is not that big of a state north to south.
Still rather interesting.

Well the last freeze date here this year is going to be in April at the earliest.
I was kind of hoping for a early warm up, warm up not hot weather but even though we are just above and below average lately I have odd feeling it may be a late true warm up.

We are in a dry spell now, which is good for those in flood plains but I hope it goes away.