​May is one of the busiest months for gardening.  That is especially so this year with our very late spring.  Compressed into a few shorts weeks is garden clean-up from the long winter, prepping the vegetable and annual beds, visiting the garden centers for fresh new plants, and planting.  Planting should be delayed until frost danger is at a minimum.  Let’s face it, in our northern zone frost danger can happen any time during the growing season.  Let’s get gardening! 

​April is one of those months where winter continues or spring makes an appearance.  I’m anxious to get out into the garden but right now it is under 2 feet of snow.  As soon as that white stuff has melted there are a few things that can still be done.  Pruning dormant trees and bushes is tops on my list once I no longer need to use snowshoes to get to those plants.  This is also the month to start seeds.  Let’s get gardening.

​The days are longer and the sun is warmer.  There’s a lot of melting in the north.  The average last spring frost date is May 24-30 in zone 3.   You can check out your location on this chart from the National Climatic Data Center.  The chart gives percentages for dates so you know your chances of beating a freeze.  It is also useful in calculating seed starting dates.  Most seeds require starting 6-8 weeks before the average last spring frost date.  For the Hayward, Wisconsin area this means starting seeds March 30 to April 13.   

​This month is short and the list of things to do for gardeners is as well.  It’s time to get ready for seed starting and to continue to dream about the coming season.