- I am beginning to plan my seeding schedule for summer flowers. When can I expect the last frost date for Qualicum Beach, BC?
Qualicum Beach is considered a zone 7b growing zone. On average, the frost-free growing season starts around Apr 28 and ends approximately Oct 28, totaling 183 days. As the growing season approaches, the days get longer, the weather begins to warm up, and the overnight temperatures increase. There’s still frost, but the chance of nightly frosts gets less with each passing day. These dates are an approximation and can vary from year to year.
When the nightly temperature falls, frost can form, even above 32F/0C. The air is colder high above the ground and the frost can then fall onto the garden causing frost damage, even if it's 36F/2.2C on the ground. Many factors come into play, including wind, concrete, houses, trees, and other structures, etc. Because of this, you might want to consider anything 36F/2.2C or less at ground level as the danger zone.
What's a safe temperature for tender plants? On Vancouver Island when the nighttime temperatures average 50F/10C, it’s the perfect time for planting tender annuals. A general rule of thumb is to wait until between Mother’s Day and Victoria Day. Historically, this is when the bulk of spring planting and outdoor direct seeding is done successfully.
Seeds can be started ahead of time either indoors or in a heated greenhouse to have them ready to plant out at the appropriate time. Work back from the last frost date for a period of four to five weeks (approximately mid-April) to start seeds indoors. Use a good quality, soilless seed starter mix and be sure to read the seed packet for the appropriate planting depth for the seed. Some seeds require light coverage with seeding mix and others are just gently pushed into the surface. Ensure good contact between the seed and the mix. Using a soilless mix will prevent ‘damping off’ which is caused by soil-based pathogens and results in withered stems and failure of seedlings.
Ensure the seed trays/pots have an adequate light source (grow light) otherwise they will elongate in search of light and grow weak and spindly stems. Seeds do not require fertiliser. They have plenty of nutrition within the seed to allow them to germinate and begin growing. Seedlings should be fertilised only after they have developed their second set of leaves, after that they can be fertilized weekly until transplanted outdoors. Prior to the planting-out date, harden them off by placing the seed trays/pots in a shady spot outdoors for a few hours each day for at least a week, bringing them in before the temperature drops in the late afternoon/early evening. For plants that will be planted in full sun gradually expose them to sunshine for a few minutes each day, increasing the time daily until they are ready to plant out. This gives the plants time to develop their own ‘sunscreen’ within the cell walls before being exposed to full sun thereby preventing sun scorched leaves.
There are things you can do in your garden to prepare and plan for planting time in mid-May.
Top dress garden beds with fresh compost and rake just the very top layer to make a finer tilth for seeds to germinate in. Weeds should be removed, not just to make the bed look better but also to cut down on competition for nutrients and water. Do not dig the beds. Take care to disturb the soil as little as possible when removing weeds. There is a microbiome within the soil that will support and feed your new plants. Digging breaks up and destroys the soil structure and organisms that your plants will depend on for healthy growth.
New shrubs, Rhododendrons and perennials can be planted as soon as the soil is workable. Perennials are raised in cool greenhouses and are hardy, cool weather plants. Prune out dead, damaged or diseased parts on perennial plants to give them a good start for the new growing season.
Stock up on potting soil and compost so you’re ready to plant at the appropriate time. Clean up and sterilize your pots from last year with a mild bleach solution.
Plan your garden planting areas, including making notes on shady and sunny areas.
Clean and disinfect all your tools and sharpen pruners and secateurs.
If you are also considering planting vegetables:
Cole crops like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage can be direct seeded into your garden around March 17, assuming the ground can be worked, but it's better to start them indoors around February 18 and then transplant them into the garden around April 8th to avoid potential frost damage. It may be necessary to protect them with a cover if the weather is still very cold. Do the same with lettuce and spinach.
Plant onion starts and potatoes around February 28 if the ground is workable. Sow the seeds of peas (sugar snap and pod peas) at the same time. If the ground is still frozen, then plant these as soon as the ground thaws.
The length of time to maturity is important to consider for annual plants. Most tomatoes, peppers and eggplants, for example, require around 100 days to harvest, therefore you want to have them big enough to transplant into the ground around the May long weekend, to ensure that they have sufficient time to mature.
Fall is the time to plant garlic. Late September, take your cloves apart and plant the toes about 3 to 4 inches deep. The way to be sure is to use a soil thermometer. When the soil temperature is 60° at a depth of 4 inches, then plant your garlic.
Cold crops like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage can be direct seeded into your garden around August 19, but because of the heat during that time of year, it's better to start them indoors around June 30 and then transplant them into the garden around August 9. Do the same with lettuce and spinach and sow peas directly around August 14.
References:
https://www.bcecoseedcoop.com/blogs/news/plantingchart
https://www.westcoastseeds.com/pages/regional-planting-charts
My own garden
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