If you’re an avid gardener or just looking to get your hands dirty in Boise, this spring is the perfect time to get started. Whether you’re wanting to start a small herb garden on the balcony of your apartment or make your backyard look like it belongs in Architectural Digest, there are plenty of plants and flowers that can bloom in Boise with some TLC.
But when is the right time to plant different types of plants in spring in Idaho? The answer depends largely on the type of plant you’re looking to grow and where you live. Before you use our guide for when to start a garden, check out this tool that will help you decide which plants can handle our Idaho weather.
Veggies
One helpful tip that we’ve heard for years, is that you can start planting once you can no longer see snow on the Shafer Butte! As soon as the last snow melts and temperatures begin to warm up around mid-March to early April, it's safe to start planting vegetables such as tomatoes, green beans, squash, carrots and cucumbers. If you’re planting cold-hardy vegetables, like broccoli and kale, you can get started early in the spring when the soil is still cool.
But for warm-weather veggies like tomatoes and peppers, it’s best to wait until later in the spring when the soil has warmed up a bit more (at least 40°F). For most other vegetables that grow from a seed, you should wait until that same soil temperature reaches 50°F.
If you’re looking for more specifics, your local garden center (we love Franz Witte) should have plenty of info on when vegetables are best planted in Boise — they can tell you what varieties do well in our climate and exactly when they need to go into the ground. But whatever advice you get, it’s always best to wait until there is no chance of frost before planting anything outdoors. Otherwise, those poor little seedlings won’t last long!
Fruits
In order to get the most out of your boise fruit garden, it's best to plant during springtime so that your plants can take full advantage of the warm weather and soil. Planting too early in Boise may mean your plants struggle to survive in the cold climate, and planting too late could mean that your fruits don't have enough time to ripen before the end of summer.
If you're planting fruit trees, make sure to give them plenty of space and sunlight to thrive. Prune your trees regularly, in order to keep them healthy and increase their yield. And of course, water your plants consistently - Boise can have some unpredictable weather patterns, so it's best to ensure that your plants are properly hydrated throughout the growing season.
Herbs
Want to add a little spice to your garden? Herbs such as basil, oregano and mint love the Boise sunshine! These can be planted as early as April—just make sure to get them into the ground before June 1st so they have enough time to mature.
And don't worry if it rains - that's just extra water for your plants! Planting in the spring also gives you plenty of time to watch your herbs grow in time for the summer gardening season. So don't wait - get planting now and enjoy all the deliciousness of homegrown herbal goodness this summer!
Flowers, Shrubs, and Trees
As for flowers, pansies are some of the hardiest and earliest bloomers of springtime, and are able to take cold temperatures better than many others. Plant these in mid-March when temperatures warm up. They will look perfect with some petunias, creeping phlox and daffodils later in April or May.
If you’re looking to plant perennial flowers like daisies and irises, early spring is the perfect time. But annuals like petunias should wait until later in the season when the soil has had a chance to warm up.
If you’re looking to spruce up your garden with shrubs or trees, it’s best to wait until early summer when the nights are warmer and the ground is less likely to freeze. This will give your trees and shrubs a better chance of taking root in their new environment. Be sure to research the type of tree or shrub you want before you buy, as some may require full sun while others like shade.
How Green is Your Thumb?
No matter what type of plants you’re looking to grow, it’s important to research the best time to plant them in your area. Boise’s spring weather can be unpredictable, so it’s best to check the forecast before you start planting. And remember, even if you don’t get the timing quite right, there’s always next year! With a little bit of planning and patience, you can have a beautiful garden that’s perfect for Boise’s springtime. Good luck!