When is it too late to plant?

April 14, 2023 10:07 AM

I found a pre-planned native pollinator garden that would perfectly fit my space and should do well under the conditions (clay soil, sun). The problem is that I've procrastinated, and the earliest I could get the plants is May 15th. Our last frost date is May 10th, and we're already having a warmer than average spring. Is that too late, or would they do fine?

I don't want to start from seed because it's a small area and the cost savings aren't worth the extra effort to me. Buying the plants individually means losing the bulk discount. I'm okay if the plants are a little slow to start this year, as long as they survive and thrive next year. The pre-planned garden is not terribly costly per plant, but for all the plants it's costly enough that I don't want to do it if it's an unfavorable planting time.

posted by Kutsuwamushi to Home & Garden (6 answers total)

Best answer: So you'd be planting plants? I think that it would be fine.

Our frost date is May 24, and I often don't plant out until the following 2 weekends.
posted by Ftsqg at 10:13 AM on April 14, 2023

Response by poster: Oops, I accidentally left out the sentence. Yes, they'd be plants - in 3-3.5" pots.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 10:21 AM on April 14, 2023

Best answer: Should be completely fine, although you may have fewer flowers or less growth this season. Make sure you water everything well as it is becoming established, especially if you have several days of early hot weather. Native perennials tend to do well and require much less nurturing than ornamental non-natives. Good luck!
posted by Jemstar at 10:23 AM on April 14, 2023 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Yep, totally fine. They may need more water and closer attention since they will have less time to adapt to the local environs before the heat of summer, compared to if they'd been planted earlier. If you're in most of North America, your common native perennial flowers won't really put out a big show until the third year anyway, so the loss of a few weeks is no problem.

Do it and enjoy!
posted by SaltySalticid at 10:26 AM on April 14, 2023

Best answer: I'm a biologist who loves native plants, thank you for planting natives! You will be fine planting them in May. Keep them well watered while they establish for the first couple weeks . A bit of natural mulch (leaves, woodchips, etc.) may also be a good idea while they establish to reduce potential weed pressures if you are starting with exposed soils (depending on how the area was prepped). Enjoy your new garden!
posted by snowysoul at 11:28 AM on April 14, 2023

Yeah, totally fine! I'm in the Chicago and the nonprofit I order native plants from isn't doing their pickup until May 21. Our last frost date is April 22ish.
posted by pullayup at 9:55 PM on April 14, 2023 [1 favorite]