Warm weather tempts gardeners in northeastern Ontario

Morning North9:00Gardening tips and more...

Should you plant yet? What's new this growing season? We have the answers to those questions and more for all you itchy green thumbs. Horticulturalist Denis Fallat offers up some tips for gardeners.

Warmer than average temperatures are in the forecast this week, but a horticulturalist and a climatologist have different answers to that perennial question of when to start planting.

The good news is that despite a bitter winter and cool start to spring this summer is looking warm, said climatologist Dave Phillips with Environment Canada.

Forecast highs this week in Sudbury should hit the 20s C, but won't break any records, Phillips said.

Warm weather and average rainfall should make farmers happy this summer, Phillips said, but he cautions it's still too early to get started in the garden because there's still a chance of a frost.

"I think that certain seeds I wouldn't be planting or plants I'd be putting in the ground yet. Nature has a way of sneering at us when we do that, we try to rush the season."

But for those who can't wait to get an early start on the growing season, horticultural technician Denis Fallat said now is the right time to plant radish, carrots, spinach and chard seeds.

Fallat said a full moon on Tuesday should mean an end to frost.

"If we plant correctly in our gardens, this allows us to do less weeding so now our garden becomes stress free."

Even if there is frost this month, you could cover your plants or wash the frost crystals off before sunrise, Fallat added.