ST. LOUIS — With the second warmest February in recorded history in St. Louis, many plants are already coming to life across the region.
Much of Missouri and Illinois is seeing the first leaf out running about three weeks ahead of the 30-year average. Data from the USA National Phenology Network tracks how the spring season is evolving.
Many spring flowering blubs are bursting into bloom now. Most of those spring bulbs are able to withstand a round of colder weather that no doubt will happen again before the end of the month.
The warmer temperatures have many wanting to get into the yard and garden. It is still too early for most of your typical garden and flower bed staples, but cool weather plants can be put in the ground now.
Transplants of broccoli, cauliflower, cabbages and lettuce are already in the garden centers and can be planted now. Seeds of other cool weather crops can be planted now as well. This includes collards, lettuce, spinach, radishes, beets and carrots. Onion and potato sets may also be planted in March.
Check the Weather First Forecast now.
While frost and freezing temperatures are still possible, if not likely, into April for some, many of the cool weather plants can withstand typical cold weather. A cold snap that brings unusually cold air to the region may have you protecting even the cool weather crops.
In the flower bed, pansies and violas will brighten your landscape right now. Dianthus, snapdragons, and sweet alyssum may be planted outdoors. If you have shasta daisies, coneflowers or black-eyed susans or other summer or fall blooming perennials coming to life now, they can be divided as long as the soil is able to be worked.
As area garden centers continue to see more deliveries of trees and shrubs, early spring is a good time to plant for your landscape. Be prepared to water trees and shrubs into the summer as their root systems become established. Given our overall dry conditions across the bi-state region, you will want to give any new planting a healthy drink immediately after planting.
It is still too early to plant summer favorites like tomatoes and peppers, squash and cucumbers. In the flower bed, you'll want to hold off on some of the typical favorites like impatiens, begonias and petunias. Seeds for summer annuals and vegetables can be planted indoors now and transplanted once the threat of frost has passed.
Traditionally, before placing anything sensitive to cold outside, it's wise to wait until Tax Day and see how the weather pattern is trending. To be nearly 100% sure the threat of frost and freeze is over, wait until Mother's Day weekend.
