What can I plant early?

Longing to get the garden going but afraid of those late April/early May cold nights killing your plants? Here’s what you can plant now to kick off summer planting

 1.     Herbs (but NOT basil) many herbs can handle the colder temps leading up to summer. Basil should not be put outside for another few weeks

2.     Vegetable Plants – some vegetables can handle the colder weather, such as lettuce, arugula, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, collard greens, etc. Ask us at the farmstand what will work! Hold off on the tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers & other less-tolerant summer crops.

3.     Most Perennials – you can plant perennials now & enjoy them every year

4.     Summer annuals that can handle cooler weather – alyssum, dusty miller, carnations, snapdragons, petunias, geraniums, marigolds, dianthus, bocapa, grasses & more. Ask our staff what will work & what won’t. Be wary of the plants that LOVE heat, for example; tropicals, vinca, portulaca, lantana, coleus, etc

Our staff is happy to answer any & all questions! We’re not far from being able to put anything & everything outside. The safe planting date for tender annuals on Long Island is usually around May 14th.