Weather Information for Gardeners

Through the different stages of development, fruit can withstand different critical temperatures. Kill rates differ to the percentage of buds that could die if temperatures
drop below the critical level. Fruit trees should normally be planted in April.

CRITICAL TEMPERATURE CHART
STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT
FRUIT	KILL RATE	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	GREEN FRUIT
APPLES	50%	9	14	19	24	26	27	27	27	27	30
APRICOTS	50%		10	16	19	22	25	26			30
PEACHES	50%	10	13	16	20	24	26	27			30
PEARS	50%	8	13	20	22	24	25	26	26		30
PRUNES	50%	7	10	14	20	24	25	26	26		30
SWEET CHERRIES	10%	17	22	25	26	27	27	28	28	28	30
TART CHERRIES	10%	5	19	26	27	27	28	28	28		30

Early Planting Schedule

Asparagus, Cabbage, Onions, Spinach and Turnips
March 15 - May 1

Peas
March 15 - May 15

Broccoli
March 15 - July 15

Radishes
March 15 - September 1

Lettuce, Parsnips, Potatoes, Cauliflower, Parsley, Swiss Chard
March 20 - July 1

Late Planting Schedule

Dry Beans
May 5 - June 11

Celery
May 5 - June 15

Sweet Corn
May 5 - July 1

Summer Squash, Cucumber, Spinach
May 5 - June 20

Peppers, Eggplant
May 20 - June 20

Lima Beans, Cantaloupe, Tomatoes, Snap Beans, Winter Squash, Watermelon, Soybeans
May 20 - June 10

PLANTING TIPS

Start semi-hardy vegetables indoors:
Peppers 8 weeks
Tomatoes 6 weeks
Squash and Melons 3-4 weeks

Plant seeds when soil is very dry.
Pick an area that gets full sun all day and has good soil.
Pick recommended varieties of vegetables.
Around 15-20 days after you have planted your lettuce, radishes, etc., replant for a staggered harvest.
Add organic matter such as sawdust, compost, leaves, or straw to your garden. This will enhance the capacity of the water retention in sandy soil, and allow oxygen to get to roots in clay soil.

Water adequately - usually 1.50" per week.
Fertilize at time of planting and once per month.
Enjoy your harvest!

Much of the information for this section originally appeared in the copyrighted book Utah's Weather and Climate, edited by Dan Pope and Clayton Brough, in 1996. UCCW Directors have received permission from the copyright owners of this book to reproduce such information on its website and to revise and updated it where appropriate.