Average Last Spring 32° F. Freeze
The following seed starting schedule can be used to plan the approximate calendar date to sow seeds indoors and to transplant the young plants outdoors. Vegetables not listed are usually seeded directly outdoors. The schedule starts by inserting into column #1 the average date for the last spring 32 F. freeze (see map number 1). Then add or subtract the number of weeks in column #2 (Weeks To Set Out). This gives you the approximate date to set or plant the transplants outdoors. Insert this date in column #3 (Set Out Date). Subtract from this date the number of weeks in column #4 (Weeks To Grow Indoors). This gives you the approximate date to sow the seeds indoors. Insert this date into column #5 (Sow Indoor Date). The number of weeks given in columns #2 and #4 can be adjusted if necessary based on your own experience. The average date for the last spring 32 F. freeze is not used as the safe date to set out tender vegetables.
|
Example:
|
Average Last Freeze Date |
Weeks to Set Out |
|
Weeks to Grow Indoors |
Sow Indoor Date |
|
Tomatoes-Main |
April 20 |
+5 to +7 |
May 30 |
5 to -6 |
April 18 |
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In this example the average last freeze date used is April 20. We have added 6 weeks to this date for our set out time (May 30). We want 6 week old transplants so we subtracted 6 weeks from May 30 and come up with the date of April 18 to start the tomato seeds indoors.
|
|
Average |
Weeks |
|
Weeks
to |
Sow
|
|
Broccoli (Spring*) |
|
3 |
|
6 |
|
|
Broccoli (Fall) |
|
+10 to +16 |
|
-6 |
|
|
Brussels Sprouts (Fall) |
|
+10 |
|
-6 to -8 |
|
|
Cabbage (Spring) |
|
-1 to +1 |
|
-5 to -7 |
|
|
Cabbage (Fall) |
|
+10 to +16 |
|
-5 to -7 |
|
|
Cauliflower (Spring*) |
|
-3 |
|
-5 to -7 |
|
|
Cauliflower (Fall) |
|
+10 to +16 |
|
-5 to -7 |
|
|
Eggplant |
|
+6 to +7 |
|
-8 |
|
|
Lettuce, Head |
|
-3 to +1 |
|
-4 |
|
|
Onion, seed |
|
-3 to +1 |
|
-8 |
|
|
Peppers |
|
+6 to +7 |
|
-8 |
|
|
Tomatoes - Early |
|
+4 |
|
-5 to -6 |
|
|
Tomatoes - Main |
|
+5 to +7 |
|
-5 to -6 |
|
|
Basil, Sweet (A) |
|
+4 |
|
-5 to -6 |
|
|
Burnet, Salad (P) |
|
0 |
|
-6 to -8 |
|
|
Caraway (B) |
|
0 |
|
-4 to -6 |
|
|
Chamomile (A) |
|
0 |
|
-4 |
|
|
Chives |
|
-1 |
|
-8 |
|
|
Florence Fennel (A) |
|
0 |
|
-4 to -6 |
|
|
Lemon Balm (P) |
|
0 |
|
-6 to -8 |
|
|
Marjoram, Sweet (A) |
|
0 |
|
-6 to -8 |
|
|
Mint (P) |
|
+1 |
|
-8 |
|
|
Oregano (P) |
|
0 to +1 |
|
-6 to -8 |
|
|
Parsley (A) |
|
0 |
|
-8 |
|
|
Sage (P) |
|
0 |
|
-6 to -8 |
|
|
Summer Savory (A) |
|
0 |
|
-6 to -8 |
|
|
Thyme (P) |
|
-1 |
|
-6 to -8 |
|
* Spring broccoli and cauliflower can be subject to bolting ("going to seed").
(A) Annual (B) Biennial (P) Perennial
Long Island is separated into three different areas based on the average date of the last spring 32 F. freeze. The dates used are before April 10, April 20 and after April 20. By finding your approximate location on the map below you will be able to find the average date of the last spring 32 F. freeze, which is used in the preceding seed starting schedule. Remember that weather on Long Island varies considerably from location to location and this map is not to scale so that your own experience plays an important role in fine tuning this date for your use. Also remember that these dates are averages and that exact dates of last spring freezes can not be predicted.
Map Number 1 (Average date for the last 320° F. spring freeze)
Average First Autumn 32 F. Freeze
The following seed starting schedule can be used to plan the approximate
calendar date to sow seeds directly into soil for a fall garden. The schedule starts by inserting into column #1 the average date for the first autumn 32° F. freeze (see map number 2). Then subtract the number of weeks in column #
2 (Weeks Before Last Freeze to Seed). This gives you the approximate date to seed the listed vegetables directly outdoors in the garden. The number of weeks listed in column #2 can be adjusted according to seed package instructions and your own experiences.
|
Example: |
Average
First |
Weeks Before Last Freeze To Seed |
|
|
Radish |
October 20 |
4 weeks |
September 22 |
In this example we are using the average first freeze of October 20. We subtract 4 weeks from this date and come up with September 22, the day to plant the radish seeds outdoors.
|
Vegetable |
Average First Freeze Date |
Weeks Before Last Freeze To Seed |
|
|
Beans, Green (Bush) |
|
up to 8 weeks |
|
|
Beets |
|
8 weeks |
|
|
Chinese Cabbage |
|
10 to 12 weeks |
|
|
Collards |
|
10 to 12 weeks |
|
|
Kale |
|
10 to 12 weeks |
|
|
Kohlrabi |
|
from 10 weeks |
|
|
Lettuce |
|
6 to 7 weeks |
|
|
Mustard |
|
6 to 8 weeks |
|
|
Peas |
|
8 to 10 weeks |
|
|
Radish |
|
4 weeks |
|
|
Rutabaga |
|
12 to 14 weeks |
|
|
Spinach |
|
6 weeks |
|
|
Turnip |
|
8 weeks |
|
Long Island has three separate average dates of the first autumn 32 F. freeze depending on your location. The dates used are after November 10, November 1 and October 20. By finding your approximate location on the map below you will be able to find the average date of the first autumn 32 F. freeze used in the preceding seed starting schedule. Remember that weather on Long Island varies considerably from location to location and this map is not to scale so that your own experience plays an important role in fine tuning this date for your use. Also remember that these dates are averages and that exact dates of first autumn freezes can not be predicted.
Map Number 2 (Average date for the first autumn 32 F. freeze)
References: Seed-Starting Solutions, by Deborah Wechsler, National Gardening,
Jan./Feb. 91; How to Sow Seeds Indoors and Out and Herbs, by W. Atlee Burpee, Co.; Park's Success with Seeds, by Anne Reilly; Park's Success with Herbs, by G. B. Foster and R. F. Louden.
Maps: Northeast Regional Climate Center, Cornell University.
For more information contact: Tom Kowalsick, Extension Educator - Horticulture, CCE - Suffolk County
4/03
