Spiderwort, still in bloom on Nov. 20Riding to Westfield on the 59 bus last week, I saw many rosebushes still flowering and many other plants untouched by frost.
We are waiting for a hard frost because we have a box of 40 tulip bulbs to be planted and the grower says it should be done after the killing frost.
Then there is the annual cleanup of dead foliage to be dealt with. It seems this chore is getting pushed back each year. Now it looks like it might be a post-Thanksgiving task.
Here is a link to frost data from 1988, which puts the last frost in Newark and vicinity at October 26. Being in Central Jersey, Plainfield is affected by urban conditions that cause a "heat island," according to the state climatologist, and our frost dates are later than those of the northern part of the state. But have things changed so much since 1988?
How is it going with your garden cleanup this year?
--Bernice
Hello Bernice. The guideline that the grower suggested regarding waiting until after the first killing frost to plant bulbs is... just a guideline. I planted 1,500 bulbs last year November 22nd-25th and all but a couple bloomed beautifully in April. Soil temperature is the first key. Soil temperature doesn't deviate as much air temp. Once it falls below 55-60 degrees or about 6 weeks before the ground freezes its ok to plant. Planting too early is usually the growers concern but looking at the calendar we are way past that being a factor. In my humble opinion, take advantage of the good weather and get those bulbs in the ground. Good luck and Happy Planting.
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