As Western New Yorkers look ahead to gardening season, unpredictable spring weather is forcing both experts and homeowners to adapt.
After a stretch of record rainfall, freezing mornings and powerful wind gusts across the region, gardeners are balancing excitement for warmer temperatures with caution about planting too early.
“At this time of year, it depends,” said Steve Reiners, a professor of horticulture at Cornell University. “Some crops like peas, spinach and lettuce could have been planted weeks ago. But tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers are much more sensitive to frost.”
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Many gardeners traditionally use Mother’s Day or Memorial Day as benchmarks for planting, but this year’s weather has complicated that timeline. Reiners said while hardy vegetables can tolerate colder temperatures, warmer-weather crops remain vulnerable to late frosts that are common in Western New York through mid-May.
Russell’s Garden Center manager Chris Zeisz said the recent cold snaps have forced garden centers to delay putting out plants and spend hours protecting inventory.
“We had to lay everything down, cover it with frost cloth and move plants into the greenhouse,” Zeisz said. “That takes a lot of labor, but we want to make sure when customers buy something, it’s in the best condition possible.”
Despite the challenges, both experts said the excessive rainfall has benefits. Last summer’s drought conditions stressed many trees and shrubs across the region, and this spring’s rain is helping replenish soil moisture before peak planting season arrives.
“One good rainfall makes such a huge difference,” Zeisz said. “If the ground is super dry and you’re trying to grow a lawn or new bushes, it becomes really difficult.”
For home gardeners dealing with soggy soil, Reiners recommends raised garden beds, which drain more quickly and allow people to plant sooner after heavy rain. He also suggested adding organic matter or mulch to improve soil drainage in traditional ground-level gardens.
The weather has also reinforced the importance of preparation. Reiners encourages gardeners to map out planting plans during the winter months instead of rushing outside during the first warm stretch of spring.
“You get a day like today and everybody wants to run out and plant everything,” Reiners said. “But planning ahead helps you know what should go where and when it’s actually safe to plant.”
Even with the unpredictable conditions, Western New York’s gardening culture remains strong. Zeisz pointed to the region’s popular garden walks and annual Plantasia flower show as evidence of how passionate local gardeners are.
“People here really get into it,” Zeisz said. “Once the weather finally breaks, they’re ready to go.”
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