When Should You Plant Your Garden In Central Indiana?
So, when should you plant your garden in Central Indiana? That’s a good question because it depends, first of all, on what plant means. Many gardeners start their gardens from seed indoors before taking them outside. It also depends on the plant. Not only does it make a difference whether it’s a vegetable or flower, but what kind of veggie or flower it is matters.
Growing up in central Indiana, my grandmother taught me that you should plant outdoors on Mother’s Day, not before. Although Mother’s Day planting is a safe bet, it’s not exact. The average last freeze in Central Indiana is April 15th. However, it has been as late as May 27th and as early as March 24th. National Weather Service
When Should You Plant Your Garden In Central Indiana?
Vegetables
A few years ago, my neighbors who moved here from the United Kingdom asked my advice about planting tomatoes and peppers. I told them about Mother’s Day, but they did their research, planted the third week in April, and had magnificent vegetables. They even left a basketful on my porch.
I’ve saved the seeds from butternut squash I’ve grown for several years. Last year I planted the seeds early in April and lost them to a hard freeze. It was several generations of squash, starting from the seeds of a squash I purchased at the grocery.
Some vegetables, such as leafy greens, radishes, and carrots, do well planted as seeds outdoors early and come into their own as the ground warms. Others like tomatoes, sweet corn, cucumbers, watermelon, and squash do their best when the soil has reached 70 F.
Still others, such as potatoes, onions, broccoli, and cabbage, are somewhere between the two. Planting vegetable seeds or transplants at the correct time is important for a successful garden.
“The correct timing is determined by two factors: the soil temperature required for seeds to germinate and the temperature tolerance of the plants. The best planting dates can vary from season to season. Planting dates also differ from one location to another based on the microclimatic effects of urban areas, natural terrain, moisture, sunlight, wind exposure, and garden devices such as cloches and mulches.” Purdue.edu — Indiana Vegetable Planting Calendar
Flowers
As I write this, I’m looking out my front window at daffodils pushing up through the snow. Many perennial flowers survive the cold, but what about annuals starting from seed? The best bet is to start your annual flowers indoors and wait until the ground has warmed before taking them outside.
However, if you’re a lazy flower gardener like me, you can plant plenty of seeds outdoors on Mother’s Day that will be in full bloom by summer. Every year I plant zinnia, nasturtium, and marigolds from seed. I also grow several types of sunflowers, cosmos, and one of my favorites, dianthus, from seed directly outdoors.
“Plant frost-tender plants after danger of frost is past for your area (mid-May in Northern Indiana, late April, early May in Southern Indiana.” Purdue Extension
So, when should you plant your garden in Central Indiana? The best answer I can share is it depends. It depends on whether it’s a flower or vegetable and what kind of flower or veggie it is. But I’ll follow my grandmother’s advice and wait until Mother’s Day.
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About the Author
Randy Clark is a speaker, coach, and author. He publishes a weekly blog at Randy Clark Leadership.com. Randy is passionate about social media, leadership development, and flower gardening. He’s a beer geek, and on weekends he can be found fronting the Rock & Roll band Under the Radar. He’s the proud father of two educators; he has four amazing grandchildren and a wife who dedicates her time to helping others. Randy is the author of the Amazon bestseller The New Manager’s Workbook, a crash course in effective management.
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