Frost in May? No way! Yes way, I’m sorry to say. The daffodils and pansies are doing their happy dance in the spring breeze and we are getting the itch to plant and plant and plant some more. Spring is here and we have had some lovely days, but inevitably the cold sneaks up on us once again in early to mid-May. I often advise my clients to hold off on planting annual flowers and warm season vegetables like tomatoes, peppers and cukes until after Mother’s Day. Have you heard your Mom say that or your Dad? How about your grandparents, your neighbor or close friend? They are providing sound advice. At the very least, make sure there is a solid extended forecast of above freezing temps in early May before you dive into warm-season planting.
What about the legend of the 3 Ice Men? Have you heard that one? If your heritage is of Northern European decent, you’re likely familiar. Or maybe your version is the 3 Chilly Saints or the 3 Frozen Kings? The stories vary slightly across European folklore and it’s helpful to know that the terms saints and kings were often used interchangeably in stories passed down over the generations. These were the times before most people could read or write and lessons and warnings were often expressed in stories. The Czech legend tells the story of the 3 Frozen Kings. The kings were fishing at sea May 12-14. They were frozen solid by a sudden blast of cold air. On May 15th a saint arrived to thaw them.
Regardless of what you call it or the exact dates, kings and saints referenced, these ancient tales of lore are all talking about the same thing. They all warn of cold days in May that could threaten your newly planted crops. In the Midwest, many of our early communities were settled by Northern European immigrants. Our climate is strikingly similar in many ways. With our ancestors, came their beliefs and folklore. I continue to be amazed at how accurate the stories of these 3 chilly days continue to be at forecasting the weather. We often have some periods of lovely weather in March, April and early May lulling us into a feeling of confidence to plant those pretty flowers or start those tender crops…or both. Proceed with caution. Indeed, I can’t really recall a year when the legend of the 3 didn’t hold true.
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Choose to plant, yes! Plant cold season crops like spinach, peas, kale, swiss chard and broccoli from the moment the ground can be worked each year. For the rest though, as days become warmer in late April and early May, plant cautiously and only what can easily be moved inside when colder weather threatens. Well-watered plants fair a bit better than dried out plants, but this moderate protection is no match for a frost (32 degrees Fahrenheit or below) and certainly not for a hard freeze (28 degrees or below). Keep a sharp eye on the 10-day forecast and prepare. Frost is likely during this time; a super hard freeze becomes less likely.
If you’re caught off guard and can’t bring your tender plants inside or move them to a more sheltered space, cover them securely with sheets. I keep a pile of old sheets on hand for just this purpose. I like to use good quality plastic clamps to secure sheets together or attach to metal hoops. For just a night or two, you can place the sheets directly on top of the plants you are protecting. Around the bottom, I use bricks or rocks to secure the sheets to the ground. You can also use a frost blanket, also known as floating row cover.
Plastic is not as good for covering for a night or two of frost prevention. Do your best to not crush your plants and uncover them as soon as temps are several degrees above freezing. Keep watch as it is common in spring for temps to rebound by day and fall below freezing again for several nights in a row. As we patiently wait, I’m reminded to fear not, this too shall pass, and we’ll be enjoying our flowers and veggies again soon.
A quick Google search will reveal your average last frost date. For me, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, that average last frost date is May 9. Keep in mind it is just that, an average, and can fall on either side of that from several days to several weeks. I am actively monitoring the extended forecast during this time as I eagerly await “plant all the things” time. When I’m in this range and see great temps in the extended forecast, I go for it! As the daffodils fade, we dive in and dream of our summer bounty to come. Happy gardening!
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