Last frost date: Mother’s Day or sooner?

Is our weather changing? Is our grandparents’ garden teachings to wait until Mother’s Day to plant flowers still true? The University of Illinois Extension climate specialist, Duane Friend shared his thoughts at the 2024 Nursery School in Moline. Winters and springs are much warmer than they used to be. This has made the growing season longer. In the west they have added as much as 19 extra days to their growing season. In Illinois, the season has extended by 9 days. The change in the season is more in the spring, with the first frost date in the fall remaining much the same. Wise farmers in our family suggest taking this new information and also watching the weather outlook before planting your annuals.