It is that time of the year where trees begin to leaf out and your green thumb begins to grow. The anticipation of watching a garden grow and flourish awaits you, but when is the right time to set out your warm season veggies in order to avoid a frost? Each year timing is crucial for WNC gardeners, and a lapse in patiences can quickly alter the initial look of your landscape. Looking ahead to April of 2020, a cooler start appears to be likely. Therefore, a delay in setting out certain vegetables like tomatoes will need to be taken. Below I will detail out what veggies you can already put into the ground, and what you should just be starting now in your starter pods indoors.
What Plants To Start In Late March In WNC Zone 6b
As a gardener, you can use plant hardiness zone maps to determine which plants to set out/plant at which time of the year. Asheville is considered to be in zone 6b, and is what I have created my planting map off of. For Asheville, the average low temperature is only between 0 degrees and -5 degrees.. making it somewhat of a decent area to grow most types of plants. For locations above 3500’ in elevation, you would be in zone 6a which is a slightly cooler climate. Vegetables and fruits that thrive in warmer weather tend to do a bit better in the valleys compared to higher elevations in WNC.
Things to start in late March would include Broccoli, Onions, Lettuce, Potatoes, Carrots, & Cauliflower. These hardy veggies are frost tolerant, and can survive temperatures that dip below freezing, though a hard freeze late will certain affect them. A great resource for local seeds is Sow True Seed located in Downtown Asheville. I purchased several early season crop seeds from them, and they are always so helpful!! Currently they are closed to the public due to COVID-19, but you can get your seed orders fulfilled through the mail!
What Do Models Show Regarding Temps For The First Week of April?
A cold start to April appears to be in store, and that is unfortunate for many who are wanting to begin warm season vegetables while at home. Most models show at least one more freeze in early April as cold air spills in from Canada. This leads me to caution gardeners about beginning crops that do not withstand cold temperatures. I know it may be tempting to buy the tomatoes and squash plants that are already started at the Hardware store, but just know that if you don’t bring those in beginning on Tuesday night, they will likely die. Below you can see the most recent European model temperature forecast for the next 10 days. Notice how several mornings dip into the low 30’s at the Asheville Airport. These temperatures will be even cooler at some higher elevation locations.
What To Plant?
I have created a guide for you on what to plant and when in WNC! There are some variabilities with this, but in general this should give you a good idea on when to begin and set plants out.
Next Trellis Talk
On the next trellis talk we will be discussing how to prepare your garden for the season, and methods of weed control that can prove to limit the overall effort it takes to produce a bountiful crop. Join me then!