Happy May!
As Mother’s Day approaches—the biggest week for plant sales in New England—gardeners everywhere are wondering: Is it finally safe to plant tender annuals outside?
As professional growers, we feel the itch too. But this year, patience is more important than ever.
This past winter was unusually harsh. Several weeks of sustained temperatures in the teens caused significant damage to woody perennials and shrubs. Spring has been slower to arrive—many perennials are blooming two weeks later than usual because of that tough winter.
And yet, late April and early May have teased us with warm, frost-free weather. With the average last frost date in Connecticut falling around May 15th, and the 10-day forecast staying mild, we’re all tempted to get digging. So… what’s a gardener to do?
Gardening: A Beautiful Gamble
At its core, gardening is a gamble. Even in ideal conditions, Mother Nature deals the cards—and she doesn’t always play fair. But if we want thriving, healthy plants (and who doesn’t?), it pays to play the long game.
That’s why we recommend waiting until the second half of May before planting warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, and squash.
It’s Not Just About Frost
Sure, Jack frost can bring death to your newly planted seedlings overnight. In fact, we had a surprise frost on May 15th just last year. I had my zinnias protected with frost cloth, but even so, their tender tops were singed. The result? A bloom delay of a couple of weeks—because once plants are stressed, they take time to recover.
But the bigger issue isn’t just frost—it’s temperature and soil conditions.
Most tender annuals resent chilly nights. They might survive above 40°F, but they don’t thrive until nights are consistently above 50°F or higher!
Even without frost, planting too early often means your plants just sit there. Growth is slow. Meanwhile, diseases don’t wait. Stressed plants are more susceptible to fungal and bacterial issues, which can stunt their progress long-term.
In contrast, a plant left just a couple more weeks in a warm, protected environment (like a greenhouse, or under grow lights) will often outpace its in-ground counterpart—and produce earlier and better in the season.
Moral of the Story?
We love Mother’s Day plant sales as much as anyone. They’re a beautiful, time-honored tradition. But when it comes to planting, we recommend hitting pause on those tomatoes and cukes.
That’s why we host our annual plant sale the weekend after Mother’s Day—because late May is the sweet spot for safely transitioning tender annuals to the garden.
🌱 Join Us at Our Annual Plant Sale!
Saturday, May 18th | 10am–2pm
Nod Hill Brewing Company, Ridgefield, CT
We’ll have a unique selection of hard-to-find vegetables, herbs, and cutting flowers to make sure you have the garden of your dreams this summer! —plus live music, expert gardening advice, and hand-crafted beer from our sister company, Nod Hill Brewing Co. It’s the only time of year we sell directly to the public, and we’d love to see you there!
Grow smart, plant safe—and let’s make this season the best one yet!
— The Team at Homefront Farmers
Pre-order plants by clicking the link below. All orders must be picked up at the plant sale on May 18!
https://homefrontfarmers.com/plant-sale/
