With predicted colder temperatures for this weekend, the best advice is to hold off buying those sensitive annuals until mid-May. If you have already purchased those annuals, I hope you can keep your plant purchases in your garage or garden shed or move those container plantings into a warmer spot, especially this weekend.
Frost and freezing temperatures can injure or kill sensitive plants unless they are covered and protected or moved indoors. Tender, nonhardy plants in the garden or landscape can be damaged by a light frost (33-36°F) or completely killed by a freeze (32°F). Plant injury and/or death occur when water inside the plant freezes and expands, rupturing plant cells.
Cool-season vegetable crops
When looking at planting zones and dates, remember Fairfield County is in Zone 6. Just remember to stay out of the garden if the soil is too wet. If the soil is too wet, heavy soil becomes hard and will not handle well for the entire season. If a handful of the soil can be pressed into a ball, work in the garden should be delayed.
Soil temperature is more important than air temperature when planting seeds. Cool-season vegetables require soil temperatures above 55 degrees. Warmer soils speed germination. Warm-season vegetables, like tomatoes, require soil temperatures above 75 degrees.
Cool-season vegetables can stand light frost and may continue growing until a hard freeze. Cool-season vegetables are generally those in which the plant is eaten (i.e. leaves, stems and roots). Cool-season vegetables that could be planted now include beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, carrots, lettuce, onions, peas, potatoes, radish and spinach.
Caring for spring bulbs
Daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, and other early blooming bulbs announce the arrival of spring. They are glorious to look at, but can get pretty ugly after flowering. Once the blooms fade, deadhead the flowers, cut back the flower stalk, and then let the foliage sit and sit and sit . . . until it finally yellows. During this time, the leaves are producing food for next year’s blooms. Only then should you clean up.
Local Food Guide – 2026 Update
As we begin the market season, the 2026 Fairfield County Local Foods Guide has been updated and is available at go.osu.edu/fclocalfoodsguide. Look to see who is new, find your favorite vendor, and see how you can support local.
If you are currently listed in our online guide and want to make changes or updates, or would like to be added to the Fairfield County Local Foods Guide, please follow this Local Foods Guide Survey link or go to go.osu.edu/FCLocalFoodsUpdate and complete the survey.
If you have questions related to the Fairfield County Local Foods Guide, please contact the OSU Extension office at 740-653-5419.
Upcoming events
Fairfield County Master Gardener’s Annual Plant SaleMay 30, 9 a.m. until sold out – Cash Sales OnlyLocation: Fairfield County Fairgrounds-Ed Sands Farm Bureau Building, 157 E Fair Ave, Lancaster.
Join the Fairfield County Master Gardeners for their annual Plant Sale. Plants will include annuals, perennials, vegetables, and herbs as well as accessories and more! Cash only. For details, contact OSU Extension in Fairfield County at 740-653-5419
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Freeze warning this weekend. How to protect your plants
Reporting by Connie Smith, Special to the Eagle-Gazette / Lancaster Eagle-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
