Last Frost Predictor

[Meadowlark]

Back in the "old" days before the internet and AI, what did you use to determine your last frost date?

For decades and decades, I used a special pecan tree in my back yard. Never a liar, this tree has been the best predictor of frost-free conditions. When it buds out, it is safe to plant everything here.

What do you use, apart from technology, to predict?

 

[Sheal]

I don't think there is such a thing as a last frost date here in Britain, the weather is too unpredictable and I've seen snow in June before now. I tend to go with overnight temperatures. If it stays above 10C/50F for a week or more then I'd risk tender plants outside, but that temperature can't be guaranteed either.

 

[Mike]

Everyone around here says it's the mesquite trees. Supposedly, when they bud out, it's go time!

 

[Meadowlark]

Everyone around here says it's the mesquite trees. Supposedly, when they bud out, it's go time!

So, is it go time yet?

 

[Mike]

So, is it go time yet?

Honestly, I haven't heard yet and haven't been out in the country far enough to see a mesquite tree. Usually I'll see posts on Facebook about it, but I haven't yet. Also, nobody I know has planted their garden yet. Still just growing things indoors.

 

[Meadowlark]

There was a great fellow who wrote a weekly column for the Houston Chronicle....Leon Hale. Every year as spring approached, he and his pal would take a trip driving west by southwest of Houston until they could find a blooming mesquite. Some years their journey would take them clear to Del Rio and some years just outside of Houston. Regardless, they always celebrated the arrival of spring with the mesquite trees.

 

[Mike]

There was a great fellow who wrote a weekly column for the Houston Chronicle....Leon Hale. Every year as spring approached, he and his pal would take a trip driving west by southwest of Houston until they could find a blooming mesquite. Some years their journey would take them clear to Del Rio and some years just outside of Houston. Regardless, they always celebrated the arrival of spring with the mesquite trees.

Folks around here swear by 'em. I've never really paid attention to how accurate they are in predicting frost-free conditions but I wouldn't imagine so many people going on about it every year if there were some truth to it.

 

[Mike]

So, is it go time yet?

According to one of the wife's co-workers, her mesquite trees are blooming so we'll be in the garden business soon! I'm sure everyone else around here will be starting up as early as this weekend too!

 

[Jukebox Actual]

Everything about this intrigues me. I honestly have no idea. If I take the pecan tree idea and look outside at my near-death apple tree... I see green life sprouting from it. Internet says May 9th, locals say mid-May is usually a final snow every year. Sooo, for now I rely on locals, but I've only been here for 11 months. We pass by a local multi-generation farmer's plot and when I see him getting to work, I know.

 

[Mike]

We pass by a local multi-generation farmer's plot and when I see him getting to work, I know.

That's probably a pretty safe bet!

 

[Meadowlark]

We pass by a local multi-generation farmer's plot and when I see him getting to work, I know.

That is probably better than a pecan tree