As Central New York prepares for a possible frost from late Monday night into early Tuesday morning, local gardeners should be cautious. Tim Ballantyne, who runs Ballantyne Gardens in Liverpool, suggests this is still an appropriate time to plant, even with the unpredictable spring weather fluctuations.
“Everyone is enthusiastic. It has been a lengthy and difficult winter. We’re eager to start digging in the soil,” stated Ballantyne.
Despite the area receiving significant rain, Ballantyne observed that gardeners are still managing to find time to tend to their gardens. He mentioned, “We simply navigate through this phase. So far, we’ve avoided any major disasters.”
Ballantyne stressed the significance of implementing a protective strategy against frost, particularly for individuals who have begun planting. He mentioned, “People should move forward aggressively, especially if they’re involved in raised-bed vegetable gardening.” Ballantyne highlighted that raised beds provide benefits like quicker water drainage and soil warming, which result in improved crop yields.
“Just stay cautious. Plant what you will, but only worry about protecting your investment if necessary. Overall, things seem promising,” Ballantyne suggested.
He additionally suggested employing indigenous flora, as these species are more adept at withstanding regional climate patterns. Regardless of the obstacles, Ballantyne stays hopeful regarding the cultivation period. “While nobody enjoys being soaked while working in their garden, I believe that once we assess our yields, everyone will feel satisfied,” he stated.
