Wait a while before planting garden this year, experts advise

MANSFIELD - Rows of tables sat empty as Charlie Horton walked through the main greenhouse at Tuttle Landscaping and Garden Center in Mansfield.

"Normally, this time of year, this place would be filled with plants," he said, pushing open a door that led to a smaller, heated greenhouse not accessible to the public. "We really need two or three weeks of warm weather."

Horton manages the greenhouse for Tod Tuttle, who has been a gardener in Richland County for more than 46 years. The duo have adjusted their schedules several times this spring with every new snowfall.

"We're a month behind, easily," Tuttle said. "I don't think we've ever started this late, ever."

Most experts advised waiting an extra week before planting. This year's frost-free date will be at least May 22, a National Weather Service spokesman said.

That also affects farmers, according to Jason Hartschuh, Crawford Count's OSU Extension agent.

"Soil temperatures last week were five degrees below average" Hartschuh said. "Soil temperatures need to be above 50 degrees for corn germination."

Soybeans need the soil to be at least 54 degrees for germination to take place.

"With that in mind, soils are currently too cool for seed germination, even if we were dry enough to plant," Hartschuh said.

Yields decrease if the seeds are planted after May 15, but a good summer growing condition can help the crop.

"Another positive note is that farmers have large equipment today, allowing them to plant many acres in a small window," Hartschuh said. "One week of fit weather would allow over half the crop to be planted."

Anyone eager to begin their spring planting should hold off a little longer. Tuttle Landscaping and Garden Center won't even be selling plants until May this year. The plants started in the small greenhouse are protected with heaters at night that keep the air above 60 degrees. They won't be spending the night outside any time soon. "We're still a good month away," Horton said.

Trees and shrubs aren't bothered by the cold, and can be safely planted now. Tuttle said annuals will die under a heavy frost, but "perennials are a little more durable."

If someone has already planted items outside, or if they plant them before May 24, they should check the weather every day, and cover their gardens if they will freeze that night. It's possible, though, that covering them still won't save them.

"Once you get below 28 degrees," he said, "you start to get cell damage to the plants."

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