Local florist provides tips for the 2024 growing season
SOUTHPORT, N.Y. (WETM) — With warmer weather reaching the Twin Tiers this week, many people in the community would like to get a head start on building their gardens. Still, a local florist advises gardeners to be cautious before planting outside.
Charlie Todd, the owner of Chamberlain Acres Garden Center in Southport told 18 News to be mindful of what you plant in the ground right now, saying one frost could kill everything.
“We right now have a greenhouse full of stock that we’ve grown and have been growing so it’s all fresh this year,” Todd said, “so all its foliage is literally new foliage, which means a hard frost would kill it off,” he said.
Todd added that plants like perennials that have been wintered and are just starting to show life again can be planted now, but plants for Mother’s Day should be monitored when colder temperatures come in.
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Speaking of those cold temperatures, if you’re someone who’s unable to bring plants inside when a frost is on the way, Todd suggested some simple tricks that can be used to protect them overnight.
“We do get a lot of people that want to jump-start their vegetable plants and things like that, especially peppers,” Todd said, “If we are going to get an impending frost you’re going to want to use sheets and cloth material,” he said, “you never use plastic, plastic will actually radiate the cold back down on and literally fry the plants rather than protect them,” he said.
Todd said that it’s best to take plants outside during a nice day, especially in the early to mid springtime, and then take them back in a garage or onto a porch during the night to prevent that frost damage entirely.
Another issue that strikes gardeners is pests and bugs that might make a lunch out of your plants. Todd said he introduces ladybugs to his plants yearly to feed on aphids that like to eat plant leaves.
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Todd understands that everyone can’t bring in ladybugs to help with their bug problem, but said that something as simple as soap and water is enough to help keep aphids away.
“Just taking a little dab of dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle and just spray the plant down, it will not hurt the plant, but it will kill all the bugs,” he said.
Todd added that Mother’s Day is approaching and Chamberlain Acres will have a Mother’s Day Farmers Market and a class to make flower arrangements. He said they will have even more flowers in stock for people to shop and enjoy to be ready for the special day.
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