KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Georgia Lou Quentin has seen not one, not two, but three snowfalls this month in Kansas City.
“I thought not more,” Quentin said. “We don’t need it now.”
That inconsistent weather has also affected the Soil Service Garden Center.
“We’re way behind, way behind,” said Janet Archer. “But things like this happen every year.”
The weather didn’t keep the center from springing into action.
“We brought all the plants in to every nook and cranny that you could,” Archer said.
Now that the thermometer has inched up, Quentin is taking advantage by buying some of her favorite flowers.
“I like geraniums, begonias and daisies,” she said.
Archer says gardeners who are getting a late start to the season can safely start planting.
“If you do have a cold chill and there’s frost in the morning, get out there before the sun shines and hose that frost off before the sun melts it off, and you’ll save your plants,” Archer said.
Also, take advantage of spring rains.
“Don’t wait until it gets 80 degrees and then start planting in a bone-dry soil,” Archer said.
And if there’s another cold-front forecasted in the future, Archer suggests having a sheet to cover them.
Archer says another commonly overlooked tip: Gardens should be watered in the morning or afternoon, so it has time to dry.
