Six Weeks Before Last Frost

[GailR]

Call me the newbie! I've really enjoyed reading posts the past couple weeks. - I need some help from people with experience.

This year is my first food garden. Last fall I tore out perennials to make way for growing food. So far my garlic planted in the fall is up and looks good, snow and regular peas are both up about 4.

According to zone 5a where I live and what I have read, is that potatoes, spinach, carrots, radish, onion sets can all go in the ground now (six weeks before last frost).

My question is understanding the term six weeks before last frost, does this actually mean the above will tolerate a frost should it get below 32 degrees? Should it drop below 32 will there be a need to cover? I feel silly with the question, thank goodness my red face cannot be seen.

I have big plans and dreams for my garden and do not want to waste money and effort.

Thanks to you all for reading,
Gail

 

[The Mama Chicken]

First,
Next, I am way down here in zone 8, but my potatoes and onions survived 2 nights of below freezing weather, without a cover, and didn't seem bothered by it. I don't know about the others because, well, i doesn't really get cold very often here.

 

[nachoqtpie]

I can't answer all your questions because I just kinda winged it with my "before frost" plants...


But I did want to say

 

[digitS']

Gail, potatoes can be nipped by frost - actually, burned right to the ground - and come back from all the energy stored in those tubers.

Spinach seedlings can survive a zone 5 winter, not just a spring morning with frost.

Carrots, radish, and onions are all really hardy plants. It would take temperatures around 20F, I'm guessing, to cause them real damage.
Welcome to TEG

!

Steve

edited to add: of those you mentioned, carrots take longer to germinate in cool soil. they wouldn't be ones i'd plant very distant from warmer weather.

 

[Southern Gardener]

Welcome, Welcome Gail! :bee

I knew Steve would answer this one - he so smart!

btw - I love the "pick me! pick me" smilie.

 

[nachoqtpie]

I like that one too!! Where do you find all these things Steve???

 

[digitS']

Too much time on my hands . . .

and, a fretful nature . . .

I'd better go mow the lawn and see if that brings on a hailstorm.
Steve

Spring weather is as fickle as a cat's eyes.

 

[thistlebloom]

Welcome Gail!

 

[GailR]

Wow, Thanks for all the warm welcomes!

And Steve, a sincere thanks for sharing your knowledge. Your help will get me going with some planting in the morning, spinach, onion and radish.


Gail

 

[kathiesgarden]

Welcome GailR. I am also a newbie to this site. Lots of nice people Which climate zone are you in? I am in Eastern WA. 6b
Kathie