The Best Time for Spring Planting: Why Right Around Mother's Day is Ideal for Long Island Gardens
Photo by Micheile Henderson
Spring has officially arrived on Long Island, and gardeners everywhere are ready to dig in and start planting. Whether you’ve just moved into a new home or you’re simply looking to refresh your outdoor space, spring is undeniably the best time for planting. However, there’s an ideal window within this season when your garden is most likely to thrive: around Mother’s Day. While it’s tempting to start early, waiting until this time ensures your plants will have the best chance to flourish throughout the season.
Here’s why Mother’s Day—typically the second Sunday in May—marks the perfect time to plant, especially here on Long Island.
Frost Worries Are Behind You
In many areas of Long Island, late spring frosts can still occur up until early May. These chilly surprises can severely damage tender plants like annuals, vegetables, and even certain shrubs. By Mother’s Day, however, the threat of frost is generally over, and the soil has warmed up enough to support more sensitive plant varieties.
Frost-free planting: Waiting until after Mother’s Day ensures you’re planting during a period when the average last frost date has passed, so you won’t have to worry about a cold snap ruining your hard work.
More predictable weather: Long Island’s coastal climate can sometimes bring unpredictable weather, but by mid-May, we generally have more stable temperatures. This reduces the risk of sudden cold snaps and encourages healthy root establishment.
Waiting until after Mother’s Day provides your plants with a solid foundation for growth, so they won’t experience the stress of fluctuating temperatures early in the season.
The Cool, Mild Weather Helps Plants Thrive
While spring is a wonderful time to plant, there’s a fine balance between warmth and coolness that’s ideal for new plantings. The temperatures around Mother’s Day strike that perfect balance.
Gentle warmth: By mid-May, Long Island’s temperatures typically hover between 50°F and 70°F, providing a cool but pleasant environment for most plants. This range encourages healthy root development without stressing the plants through extreme heat.
Reduced transplant shock: The mild temperatures make it easier for newly planted flowers, shrubs, and perennials to establish themselves in the ground. If you plant too early and the temperatures are still cool, plants might struggle to adjust. On the other hand, planting too late, when summer heat arrives, can lead to transplant shock and wilting.
The moderate spring temperatures around Mother’s Day allow plants to settle into their new environment without the stress of scorching heat or early cold snaps, promoting long-term health and growth.
Nurseries Are Fully Stocked with Plants
One of the joys of planting in spring is the abundance of choices available at local nurseries and garden centers. However, spring planting season doesn’t truly hit its stride until just before or around Mother’s Day. That’s when nurseries have a full selection of high-quality perennials, shrubs, and annuals, ready to thrive in your Long Island garden.
The best selection: By Mother’s Day, most nurseries will have their full stock of perennials, shrubs, trees, and flowers available, which means you can choose from a wider variety of healthy, vibrant plants.
Local knowledge: When shopping at local nurseries, you can get expert advice about what’s best suited for your Long Island garden. Staff can recommend varieties that will thrive in your specific soil and climate, ensuring your garden flourishes year after year.
Waiting until this time also means you’ll be selecting plants that are well-suited for the growing season ahead, rather than trying to plant varieties that may be out of season or in short supply.
Perfect Timing for Shrubs and Perennials
If you’re hoping to plant shrubs, perennials, or trees, Mother’s Day is the ideal time to do so. These plants often require more time to establish their roots before summer heat sets in, and planting around mid-May gives them the best chance to adapt to their new environment.
Establishing roots: Shrubs and perennials are typically hardy, but they need a full growing season to establish a strong root system. Planting around Mother’s Day allows these plants to settle in comfortably before the summer heat. The soil is warm enough to encourage growth, but the cooler air helps avoid the stress that could come with hotter temperatures.
Long-lasting blooms: Many perennials bloom in the early summer, and planting them around this time gives you the best shot at enjoying those beautiful flowers throughout the season. Shrubs also benefit from being planted after the frost, allowing them to establish a healthy root system and thrive through the warmer months.
For plants like roses, lavender, hydrangeas, and more, planting after Mother’s Day ensures that your garden will be vibrant and full of life all season long.
Time to Plan and Prepare Your Garden
By waiting until right around Mother’s Day, you give yourself the necessary time to prepare your garden for the season. Early spring is a great time to plan out your landscaping, but planting too early can lead to rushed or poorly executed designs. Here’s what you can do leading up to mid-May:
Soil preparation: Take the time to amend your soil with compost, organic matter, or any necessary fertilizers before planting. This helps ensure your plants have all the nutrients they need to grow strong and healthy.
Design your garden layout: Use the early spring weeks to plan out where you want each plant to go. By the time Mother’s Day arrives, you’ll be able to purchase plants with confidence, knowing exactly where they’ll go in your garden.
Hardscaping: If you’re planning to install any patios, paths, or fences, spring is the perfect time to do this. Having these elements in place before planting ensures your garden looks complete as plants start to grow.
Planning and preparing ahead of time makes planting on or around Mother’s Day an even more effective way to ensure your garden thrives throughout the summer.