Date: April 1, 2004

Release: Home Gardening

Writer: Tony Melton, County Agent

Florence County

Easter: The Traditional Start of the Gardening Season

Most gardeners are bitting at the bit and ready to garden, but most wait on the traditional start of the gardening season, Easter. Call it natural, spiritual or whatever. Easter is thought of as a new beginning. The beginning of spring; the beginning of growth; the beginning of life, and etc. It seems to be indwelt into our nature that nothing is planted until Easter. I guess this is why the Spring Flower Festival at the Pee Dee Farmers Market is the week following Easter (April 15-18) and draws some 50,000 people each year.

In some instances, planting at Easter is beneficial. First, the threat of frost is generally past because our average last frost date is April 1st. However, I have seen frosts as late as April 19th. Next, planting early in the spring is very beneficial in South Carolina. It gets very hot quickly. I jokingly tell most northerners that move here that we have two seasons in S.C., summer and Christmas. Plants that are started early have a better chance of developing properly before it gets real hot. Finally, insects and disease problems are generally not as bad when you plant early. Most insect and disease problems tend to build and get worse throughout the summer. As summer progresses cornearworms, pickleworms, aphids, whiteflies, etc. are worse. Diseases like early blight, viruses, fungal leafspots, etc. increase. However, there are some noted exceptions to this generality.

In some instances, Easter is not the optimum time to plant. First of all, most trees, shrubs, and perennials do better if planted in the fall. Fall planting allows these plants to develop an adequate root system to stand heat the next summer. Next, cool season vegetables and ornamentals need to be planted in the fall or much earlier in the spring. One lady called about how she could keep her snapdragons and pansies from dying in the summer; however, since they are cool-season annuals this is natural. Finally, some plants do better if planted later when the soil is warm for the seed to germinate properly. These include okra, peanuts, cotton, and etc.

To learn the specifics on gardening we have both free and for-sale publications at our office in the back of the Public Services Building on the corner of Third Loop and Irby. You may also visit our Home & Garden Information Center through our web site at hgic.clemson.edu. I may be contacted through our web site, amelton@clemson.edu, or 661-4800.

The Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political belief, sexual orientation, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.