What Date Should I Use for Frost Date?

Judge Kemp 4/19/2010, 1:46 am

I found the nice link in our regional forum for Midwest that includes the 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% and 90% date for last Frost of the Spring.

All the planting instructions go by "last frost date."

Which of the percentile date should I use to base my planting dates on?

I'd been going by the 10% date (latest date), but am thinking this has put me behind schedule.

So, which date should I be using?

Temperature	10%	20%	30%	40%	50%	60%	70%	80%	90%
Spring 32°	May 2	Apr 28	Apr 25	Apr 22	Apr 20	Apr 18	Apr 15	Apr 12	Apr 8

boffer 4/19/2010, 2:43 am

That is a nice chart; I hadn't seen it before. But, it's TMI !!

I think the trend amongst gardeners with a little experience is to push the limit on cool crops, and play it safe on warm weather crops.

Cool crops like lettuce, spinach, etc go in early. If they get wiped out due to frost, there's still time to replant. Also, everyone is anxious to get their hands dirty as soon as they can in the early spring!

For warm crops like tomatoes and corn, which in 4 season climates, only get planted once, most folks tend to be more patient, unless they have a means of protecting them (cloche, cold frame, etc)

Keep watching your regional forum for who's doing what and when in your area; that's probably your best guide.

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What Date Should I Use for Frost Date?

What Date Should I Use for Frost Date?

Re: What Date Should I Use for Frost Date?