Planting Flowers?

I live in Minnesota and I would like to plant some flowers in my backyard. When is a god time to plant flowers?

FlowersBirthday FlowersSympathy FlowersI lived in upstate N.Y. for along time...we always waited till Easter or till May 1st week the weather is so crazy..hot then can get to cold. Now if you are doing potted flowers and can bring them in, and have a good sunny location, you will be alright for 1st week of April..otherwise I would wait to be safe.


Have a great time planting, I am in Tx. now but I still wait a while more..it is weird weather here to!
Reply:Generally after may 1st but that rule is so due to the fact that if temperatures get cold enough for frost the flowers will die. It's probley a good idea to go up to your local nursery not a home depot or walmart and ask the folks growing the flowers what they think. They'll be more than happy to help and have a wealth of information on your local gardening seasons.
Reply:When all danger of freeze is past. I think you probably get a lot of snow there so you may need to wait till mid April.
Reply:You say flowers but not specifically annuals or perennials. Each type of flower has its own characteristics and advantages. Annual flowers tend to bloom from spring until autumn frost so give more flowers for the growing year. Although they must be replanted each year, annuals are hard to beat in terms of showy, season-long color.





Seeds of a few plants, including babies-breath and


gaillardia, can be sown as soon as you can work the soil


in early spring. For most other annual flowers, wait until


soil warms above 60°F before sowing outdoors. Transplants should go out after the last frost. However note that some annuals are actually tropical plants and will not tolerate cold soil temperatures.


April is good for pansies and other frost tolerant plants. However May is when you will see Minnesota grown annuals and geraniums avaiable, after frost is no longer a danger. This is when you will plant summer bulbs and most perennials.








Univ. of Minn. offers 2 books ($1.50 each) specific to your climate.


'Growing and Using Annuals and Bulbs' Taylor, J.; Lee, Hanchek, A.; Michigan State U.


Includes 5 pages of tables offering care guides and selections for special uses. For homeowners and master gardeners.





'Growing Perennials' Hanchek, A.; Michigan State U.


Provides extensive information on uses, designing, color guide, culture, pest and disease control, selection and care of perennials. Includes spring freeze and hardiness zone maps. For gardeners, nurseries, and extension faculty.





City Spring (last frost) Fall (first frost)





Canby 5/23 9/16


Detroit Lakes 6/10 8/31


Duluth 6/4 9/10


Faribault 5/24 9/15


Hallock 6/9 9/10


International Falls 6/9 9/4


Marshall 5/19 9/24


Minneapolis 5/21 9/15


St. Paul 5/21 9/15


Warroad 6/6 9/4





Source: "Climatography of the U.S. No. 20, Supplement No. 1", 1988, National Climatic Data Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.makeup tips