Spring Seed Starting is based on your freeze schedule

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Botanical Interests just sent out a new seed starting chart - it's that time of year. Check out the weeks before last frost for seed starting projects indoors and outdoors -
http://www.botanicalinterests.com/articles/view/54/Sowing-Guides/srch:sowing%20guides?utm_source=Consumer+No+Gmo+1%2F19%2F2013&utm_campaign=nogmo11913&utm_medium=email

Success depends upon counting the weeks between the last freeze date in your area and putting those seeds in the starting pots.

For example, the last freeze date for our NE OK zone 7 is April 15. Some years the last freeze is actually in March; other years it really does freeze in mid-April. All we can do is look at that average date and use the calendar to make our best guess.

In Albuquerque, New Mexico, for example the last average freeze date ranges from Apr 13 to May 7

Dates of the Last Spring Freeze Around the Albuquerque Metro Area
LocationElev. (ft)Early
Average
Late2011201020092008
Sunport
(1931-2009)		5300MAR 6,
2004 		APR 13MAY 7,
1982 		MAY 2MAY 1APR 2APR 18
Foothills (1991-2009)6120APR 12, 2005APR 24MAY 3, 2008MAY 2MAY 1APR 18MAY 3
S. Valley (1948-2009)4955MAR 25, 2006APR 19MAY 22, 1962MSGMSGAPR 7MAY 2
Los Lunas (1957-2009)4840APR 3, 2000MAY 2MAY 23, 1975MAY 4MAY 3APR 20APR 24
Corrales
(1986-2009)		5015APR 13, 1990


MAY 7MAY 27, 1996MSGMSGAPR 16MAY 3

In Lubbock, TX, the last freeze date ranges from Mar 28 to Apr 22!
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lub/?n=climate-lastfreeze

In western South Dakota, the last freeze dates are between April and June! Look at this link -
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/unr/?n=averagespringfreeze



In central Alabama the last freeze date is earlier, of course - between March 9 and Apr 15.
BirminghamMontgomery
Earliest Final Spring FreezeFebruary 3, 1945 None in 1921*
Average Final Spring Freeze


There is a cool tool at http://davesgarden.com/guides/freeze-frost-dates/ where you enter your zip code (US Post Office) and get the last freeze date for your area. Click over and check yours.

 



 



 
  
 

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