Ok, thanks! I'm from a more southern state where I would be planting now, and I haven't quite grasped the NoVa climate swings. Good to know about the Mother's Day rule of thumb for this area. I plant my herbs in pots, along with lettuce, spinach, and some other veg so I can drag those inside and out as needed. The rest- we have raised beds that are already prepped and ready. Bring. It. On.

I think this depends somewhat on where you live (ie, night temps drop more in less built up areas, or people in Fairfax County might be safe to start planting a week or two earlier than those north of the city) and the specific conditions of your garden. My veggie beds are really sheltered and in full sun all day and I think we're almost a zone further south than the map would indicate. Herbs that are supposed to annuals over-winter in my garden and I always plant at the very early edge of the guidelines on the seed packets with no problem.

Too early for things like tomatoes though. They may survive, but they'll just sit and not grow until the soil warms up anyway, so there's no point in planting early.

Right now I have arugula, lettuce, peas, beets and carrots planted from seed. All starting to show sprouts. Also some broccoli (from starter plants).

Maybe spend the weekend getting your beds good and ready? Might satisfy the urge without risking any plants.

Anonymous wrote:You could also do a nice crop of lettuce, peas, brussel sprouts & brocolli.

+1

All the above like it on the cool side and won't mind a light frost. They have all been growing nicely in garden for some time now -- well, the peas are just beginning to sprout.
It is almost too late for these crops from seed. but you can certainly put some lettuce starts in your garden.

As for herbs, go ahead and put them in but keep something nearby to throw on top of them should we get a cold snap. An old yogurt container or empty milk jug will do the trick.

Most herbs are probably fine. Would hold off on the summer veggies a few more weeks if planted in the ground - ground temp has not caught up to the current temps. Plants will be stressed and will not root as well.

If planting in containers, you can always bring inside if it gets a little cold. Still, general rule is Mothers Day as the garden center suggested, although the past few years it seems May 1 is a better timeframe.

I know the itch - i'm getting it too, that's why we went with herbs in containers for now (thyme, rosemary, parsley)...basil and other summer herbs probably another week or 2.

This is a good time to start cool weather stuff like greens, peas, carrots, radishes. I put in a bunch of seeds yesterday!

You could also do a nice crop of lettuce, peas, brussel sprouts & brocolli.

You could start a small batch of seeds right now (inside) that could then be transplanted when it really is consistently warm.

I was at American Plant yesterday and very, very tempted to get some veggies, but after talking with one of their staff....I am going to try to hold off until Mother's Day (that was her recommended time frame). I did pick up a few herbs and I am crossing my fingers on those, especially the dill. We'll see. This is certainly unpredictable weather.

I'm soooooooo ready to get my veggie garden in with this lovely *finally* warm weather, but what are the chances of more frost and cold craziness? I think Mother Nature took 2 winters and is going straight into summer this year, but I haven't lived here long enough to be sure. How likely are we to get more frost? I'm not really equipped to rig up a cold frame so would lose plants if I get them in and then the weather turned again.
Signed,
Ready for real tomatoes!