I'll start by being completely honest -- I'm feeling a little intimidated about sharing column space with Cornell Cooperative Extension's Amy Ivy. Based on my casual conversations with friends, acquaintances and all the phone calls I receive in the office, a lot of people both read and really enjoy Amy's weekly column. Now, as I take turns with her, writing a Home and Garden piece every other week, I hope that I can fill her shoes and provide you with an article of the same caliber.

SPRING FEVER

Now, getting down to business, the snow has finally melted, the air is pleasantly warm, and the spring bulbs are making their annual appearance. And, if you are like me, all this beautiful weather has given you spring fever. Right now, I want to be out in my garden planting my vegetables, flowers and herbs. But I know that I have to be cautious. Even though the days are getting warmer, we are still several weeks off from our average last frost date.

The average last spring frost date is the day, or range of days, in which the last frost typically occurs. If you live closer to the lake, that date can range between April 30 and May 20. But if you live in the Adirondacks, the date ranges from May 20 until the beginning of June! So, despite our urge to get out there and plant, we need to make sure what we plant is not susceptible to frost.

COOL-SEASON ANNUALS

Luckily for us, there are many garden flowers that prefer the cool days of spring. Two of the most popular cool-season annuals are the pansy and viola. These beauties do best during the cool spring and fall weather. Dead-heading the flowers will keep the blooms coming for weeks. And now there are several varieties that tolerate a light freeze. Other cool season annuals include calendula, cornflower, foxglove, larkspur, sweet alyssum, stocks and many dianthus cultivars. Planting cool season annuals in containers and in the ground can easily make your garden season start much sooner. Just remember to protect the flowers if a heavy frost is predicted.

COOL-SEASON VEGETABLES

While we all love our summer tomatoes, now is not the time to plant them. They are not tolerant of frost and prefer warmer soil temperatures. There are many cool-season vegetables that do allow us to harvest crops from spring through the fall. Most of the vegetables that you can get into the ground now are leafy vegetables or root crops. If you are out planting now, think about radishes, carrots, onions, beets, spinach, lettuce, swiss chard and bok choi. And of course, don't forget about peas. Now is the perfect time to get your peas into the ground.

FROST-TENDER PLANTS

If you just couldn't resist the urge and planted some frost-tender plants, with a little diligence you may be able to save them. If there is going to be a frost, move any potted plants to a sheltered area where the frost won't bite. Plants that are in the ground can be wrapped in newspaper, Hessian or garden fleece for the night. It is a slow process to wrap plants, but it is worth it for any special or precious frost-tender plants and shrubs.

Unfortunately, if your plants have already received frost damage, there is no treatment. The best option is to remove any damaged portions so the plant can concentrate on the healthier parts. And remember to protect the plant from further frosts since it will be even more vulnerable than usual. If the plant is not showing signs of new growth and recovery, it is better to remove it and replace it with something new at a suitable frost-free time. Leaving a frost-damaged plant that is not recovering can attract unwanted diseases and insects.

With a little thought, we can extend our growing season by planting plants that enjoy our spring weather. For those who are itching to get the warm-season plants, such as peppers, into the ground, just be patient. It won't be long before we're out there complaining about the heat and sun that can often make gardening feel like a chore!

For unbiased, research-based information on your home, yard and garden questions, call our office at the number below or e-mail your question to the address below.