When Is The Best Time To Start Gardening In Western New York?

It's been a long, cold winter in Western New York. We've got some pretty warm weather coming this weekend. When will be the best time to start planting for that perfect summer garden?

It's easy to get excited when this time of year comes around. Whether you're looking for a garden full of fresh vegetables to munch on this summer, or just some really colorful plants to fill in your landscaping, it feels like the earlier you get started, the better. But experts would say to just hold on for a little while longer.

You want your plants to survive the final frost

While you may be excited to get your plants in the ground, most experts will remind you that you don't want the last frost of the year to kill them before they even get started. According to The National Weather Forecast, "The average date of the last frost is near the end of April in the Buffalo metro area, but in mid May well inland."

What can you do while you wait?

The best time to get started with your gardening is actually now. While you shouldn't be putting your plants in the ground just yet, there are plenty of things to do before the weather actually turns.

Now is the time to literally lay the groundwork for your perfect garden. Are you building raised garden beds? Start building them. If you have a garden already in the ground, now is a good time to clear off any extra things that could have gotten in there. Extra sticks, leaves, and last year's perrenial stalks should be cleared away.  If the soil is dry enough, it can be tilled up. If the soil isn't ready for plants yet, get it ready. You can add fresh compost or manure to the beds to let the spring rains soak it in.

You can also get some plants started indoors. Plants like tomatoes and peppers might need a little head start before going outdoors to face the Western New York spring anyway. Just be sure to get them started in a warm space with plenty of sunlight.

Good luck! Planting season will be here soon!