When is the right time to start planting in 2026? The last frost date is revealed
You can’t rely on a set day each year to get into your garden and plant. The weather has a thing or two to say about it. That’s why both novice and expert gardeners rely on it The Old Farmer’s Almanac on a safe day to plant their garden.
To help you plan ahead this year, the 2026 Snow End Date Map has been revealed. It helps to identify whether this year’s last frost may be earlier, about the same, or later than the long-term trend. Combining long-range climate forecasts with 30-year historical average snow conditions shows how 2026 may deviate from the forecast.
How much does the range vary? The Old Farmer’s Almanac reports that most differences are small, within one or two weeks of the normal range. However, a few days can make a big difference in your plan to keep your plants safe from frost damage.
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Here’s a breakdown of the three map categories and what they mean for your area.
Green: Snow days earlier than normal
Snow days are expected to be one to two weeks earlier than normal in the Northeast and Atlantic Corridor, including Boston, much of New England, New Jersey, New York City, and Philadelphia.
The Southeast, across the Carolinas and eastern Georgia, can also expect a long planting window this spring. And it includes those in the Ohio Valley, especially Kentucky and most of Indiana.
Parts of Missouri and Kansas, Oklahoma City, and low-lying California and desert states will also benefit from a few more weeks of planting.
However, you should still expect a few cold snaps, so prepare to protect your plants with row covers, cloches or cold frames.
Yellow: Snow days within the normal range
The Appalachians, parts of Ohio and West Virginia, and the Deep South will not see much of a change from normal. The same is true for the Upper Midwest, although the northern tips will expect the last frost to be above normal. The Lower Lakes across Michigan, and Great Lakes cities, including Chicago, Northern Iowa, and parts of central Oklahoma City, are also in the yellow category.
The High Plains, across Nebraska, northern Colorado, and the Dakotas, and Seattle, Portland and coastal areas across the Pacific Northwest will also experience the last few days of normal snow.
Blue: Frost date later than normal
If you live in Florida, especially in the central areas near Orlando, you can expect a frost date up to two weeks later than normal. The same applies to the northernmost parts of the Upper Midwest and the southern parts of Texas near San Antonio, Idaho, eastern Oregon and Washington, northern Utah and Nevada, and northern Montana.
A late frost increases the risk of plant damage, so wait until the soil warms at night, or switch to raised beds at this time.
Another way to check if it is the right time to plant
Without trust The Old Farmer’s Almanac last frost map, you can check your soil temperature before planting.
Cool-season crops, such as peas, spinach and radishes, need a soil temperature of at least 40°F.
Temperate crops, such as beets, carrots, onions and Swiss chard, grow best when the soil reaches 50°F.
Warm-season crops, such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and melons, need a soil temperature of 60°F.
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