Credit: Alison Miksch
Key Takeaways
Planting too early can harm plants and soil; wait until nighttime temperatures stay above freezing and the soil is dry.
Avoid pruning, cutting back perennials, mulching, and moving overwintered plants too soon to prevent damage.
Focus on cleaning debris, inspecting plants, prepping garden beds, and planning ahead while waiting for warmer weather.
While garden centers may be brimming with blooms this time of year, don’t let them lure you to the checkout with signs of a false spring. “It may be a hair too early to put some of those plants in the ground or in porch planters if your region’s last average frost date hasn’t passed yet,” warns Linda Vater, expert for Southern Living® Plant Collection. This is especially true for tender annuals or plants that are only marginally cold hardy in your area, she says.
Beyond planting, there are a variety of other tasks that are better left for warmer days and nights, according to Vater and Kelly Funk, President & CEO Jackson & Perkins. Here, the gardening experts share how to know when it’s safe to get out there, what gardening tasks you can tackle now, and what is worth putting off until consistently warmer weather arrives.
Credit: Alison Miksch
Waiting for Mother Nature’s Green Light
“In the South, one good rule of thumb is that the earlier you get plants in the ground, the more time they have to get established and strong before the stress of summer’s heat tests their mettle,” says Vater. But that doesn’t mean forsaking the forecast and the threat of more dipping temperatures to come.
“A good rule of thumb is to wait until the soil is no longer soggy, nighttime temperatures are consistently above freezing, and buds start swelling naturally.” Planting prematurely can mean working on frozen, wet, or unstable soil that can damage both the plant roots and soil structure, she explains. You can test the soil by squeezing a handful and seeing if it crumbles or clumps. Funk says if it crumbles, it’s ready for planting.
Once Mother Nature has given you the go-ahead, Vater recommends planting broadleaf evergreens such as gardenias, camellias, and hollies during this early planting season.
Gardening Tasks You Should Skip Until Spring
We know it’s tempting, but getting out in the garden before your region has consistently warm temperatures can do more harm than good. Funk and Vater say these tasks are worth putting off until the last threat of freezing temperatures has passed.
Pruning Flowering Shrubs
“Shrubs like azaleas, rhododendrons, and gardenias are already developing their buds for spring, and pruning now may jeopardize this year’s bloom display,” explains Vater. Funk says heavy pruning of roses should also be avoided as cutting too early can encourage new growth to sprout at a time when damaging frosts could still be lurking in the forecast.
Cutting Back Perennials, Grasses, and Other Plants
Funk says a variety of beneficial insects, butterflies, and pollinators overwinter in the hallow stems and thick foliage of perennials and natural grasses. “Cutting them too early can disrupt their lifecycle and reduce natural pest control in your garden,” she says. For this reason, the plant expert advises keeping those garden shears in hibernation until you spot new growth.
Applying Mulch Too Soon
While mulching at the right time can help plants retain nutrients, moderate temperature fluctuations, and prevent erosion—among other benefits—taking on this task too early won’t do your plants any favors. “Mulch too early, and you may trap cold moisture around roots rather than warming the soil,” Funk explains. Wait until planting season has arrived before freshening up your mulch.
Planting Before Your Last Average Frost
“If you are considering a plant that typically thrives in USDA Zones that are a bit warmer than yours, you’ll want to wait until the threat of frost has passed before putting the plant in the ground—even if that plant has already arrived on store shelves in your area,” she says. You might be able to get away with some varieties that are hardy in your USDA Zone, but, if possible, it’s best to hold off on planting, no matter what your garden center’s inventory may suggest until the warm (note: not hot) weather has arrived.
Moving Overwintered Plants Back Outside
“If you moved any tender perennials or shrubs into a garage or sunny spot in your home over the winter, you need to wait until true spring arrives to begin re-acclimating them to life outside,” says Vater. “After all the care you’ve put in all winter, you don’t want to lose them to a rogue late-season freeze!”
Things You Can Do in Your Garden Now
If you’re itching to get out in the yard, Vater and Funk say there are a few items that you can go ahead and check off your list.
Clean Up Winter Debris: Funk advises removing fallen branches, old mulch, and leaves before beginning spring gardening, as this can help reduce and prevent diseases and pests.
Inspect Your Garden: While it’s best to hold off on most of your pruning until the warm weather arrives, Funk recommends removing dead canes from your roses, mulching any emerging spring bulbs to insulate them from temperature swings, and trimming off dead growth on hardy perennials. For less mature ones, leave those spent branches as protection.
Prepare Garden Beds and Containers: To get those garden beds ready for the growing season ahead, Funk recommends checking soil pH, adding compost, and applying a slow-release fertilizer. Vater also suggests cleaning and sanitizing small planters and gardening tools.
Plan Ahead: No matter what the weather is like, you can still make gardening plans for the future. Vater says both planning and building features like trellises, paths, and retaining walls can help satisfy your green thumb before the warm weather hits. She also advises doing some research into new and new-to-you plants. You can do this with catalogs, magazines, and even taking a stroll around your local garden center—just hold off on your purchases until the planting season has fully arrived.
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