What to Plant 30 Days Before Last Frost Dates

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As the last frost date approaches, the anticipation to plant gardens and kickstart the growing season becomes unbearable. However, the weeks leading up to the last frost can be a crucial time for sowing seeds and transplanting seedlings that thrive in cooler temperatures. In this blog post, we’ll explore what to plant before the frost dates. These plants that not only tolerate but thrive in the conditions present 30 days before the last frost, maximizing your garden’s potential.

Here’s What To Plant Before Frost Dates:

1. Cool-Season Vegetables:

Cool-season vegetables are well-suited to the conditions present before the last frost date. These vegetables prefer cooler temperatures and can withstand light frosts, making them ideal choices for planting 30 days before the last frost.

This list includes leafy greens and root vegetables:

2. Hardy Herbs:

These aromatic herbs add flavor and freshness to your dishes and are relatively easy to grow. Planting them early allows them to establish strong root systems before the warmer weather arrives, ensuring a plentiful harvest throughout the growing season. They thrive in cooler temperatures and can be planted outdoors before the last frost date.

These herbs are:

Cold Hardy Chives

3. Spring Flowers:

Many spring-flowering bulbs and perennials can be planted in the weeks leading up to the last frost for a burst of color and beauty in your garden. These flowers are popular choices for early spring blooms and add charm and cheer to the garden and flower pots.

These flowers include:

  • Daffodils
  • tulips
  • crocuses
  • hyacinths
  • pansies
  • violas
  • primroses
Cold Hardy Daffodils

4. Cold-Hardy Annuals:

Certain annual flowers thrive in cooler temperatures and can be planted outdoors before the last frost date. These cold-hardy annuals provide vibrant colors and blooms early in the season, enhancing the beauty of your garden beds and containers.

This list includes:

  • snapdragons
  • calendula
  • sweet peas
Cold Hardy Sweet Peas

Planting your garden 30 days before the last frost date allows you to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and prepare your garden for a successful growing season. By selecting plants that thrive in these conditions, you can maximize your garden’s potential and enjoy a bountiful harvest of vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Remember to check your local frost dates and consult with gardening experts or resources to determine the best planting times for your specific location.

Happy gardening! x

If you’re still unsure and want to start some seedlings indoors, check out: My Best Seedling Picks for Zone 7a: Kickstart Your Garden indoors or Everything you need to know about Gardening in Zone 7a:

Sources:

  1. Planting Vegetables in the Cool Season” – University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
  2. “Growing Herbs: The 10 Best for a Home Garden” – The Old Farmer’s Almanac
  3. “Spring-Flowering Bulbs: Planting Depth and Spacing” – University of Minnesota Extension
  4. “Annual Flowers: Cold-Hardy Selections for Early Spring” – University of Illinois Extension

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