2016

SPRING WEATHER OUTLOOK

&
PLANNING GUIDE

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2 0 1 6 Spring Weather & Planting Guide - Far m e r s A l m a na c . c om

WEATHER

WET, WILD
AND MILD?!

The maps below reflect an overview of the Farmers Almanac general weather outlook for spring
(March through May 2016) for the United States and Canada.
Very Mild,
Near Normal Precipitation

Very Mild;
Near Normal
Precipitation Inland,
Wet Coastal Plain

Mild, Wet Rockies;

Drier Plains
Mild & Dry

Wet All Areas;

Mild CA & NV;
Near Normal
Temps, UT & AZ

NormalZone
Spring 3
Temps, Very Wet
Unseasonably Chilly
& Wet

Near Normal
Temps &
Precipitation

Mild Temps,
Average
Precipitation

Mild, Drier than

Normal
Very Wet & Stormy
Near Rockies;
Mild, Near Normal
Precipitation
Along Coast

Mild & Dry

Conditions

Mild Spring
Temps,
Average
Precipitation

Get the complete forecast for the year ahead at

FarmersAlmanac.com
2 0 1 5-2016 Fa rmers Almanac/Almanac Pub l i s h i ng C o m p a ny

FROST

AVERAGE LAST
SPRING FROST DATES

The dates listed are normal averages for a light freeze/frost in selected towns. The definition of a
light freeze is when the temperatures are between 2932F. During a light frost, tender plants may be
killed, with little destructive effect on more hardy vegetation.
There is a 50% chance that a frost may occur before the spring date as well as a 50% chance one
may occur later in the spring. Dates courtesy of the National Climatic Data Center, National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration.
ALABAMA

ARKANSAS

Birmingham

Apr 2

Fort Smith

Mar 31

Huntsville

Mar 30

Jonesboro

Mar 29

Mobile

Feb 28

Little Rock

Mar 22

Montgomery

Mar 11

Texarkana

Mar 13

ALASKA

CALIFORNIA

Anchorage

May 8

Fresno

Feb 4

Fairbanks

May 15

Red Bluff

Feb 22

Juneau

May 8

Sacramento

Feb 10

Nome

Jun 11

San Bernardino

Jan 21

Tahoe City

Jun 18

Flagstaff

Jun 9

COLORADO

Phoenix

Jan 30

Denver

Tucson

Feb 16

Grand Junction

May 1

Julesburg

May 7

Pueblo

Apr 30

ARIZONA

Yuma

Jan 24

Apr 30

2 0 1 6 Spring Weather & Planting Guide - Far m e r s A l m a na c . c om

2016 AVERAGE LAST FROST DATES

CONNECTICUT

IOWA

Danbury

May 1

Cedar Rapids

Apr 25

Hartford

Apr 26

Des Moines

Apr 20

Stamford

Apr 29

Fort Dodge

Apr 29

Sioux City

Apr 26

DELAWARE
Dover

Apr 8

KANSAS

Lewes

Apr 6

Garden City

Apr 27

Wilmington

Apr 10

Great Bend

Apr 13

WASHINGTON, DC

Mar 29

Independence

Apr 8

Topeka

Apr 19

Feb 26

KENTUCKY

FLORIDA
Jacksonville
Orlando

Jan 30

Ashland

May 4

Tallahassee

Mar 22

Lexington

Apr 15

Tampa

Jan 21

Mayfield

Apr 17

GEORGIA

Murray

Apr 5

LOUISIANA

Atlanta

Mar 24

Augusta

Mar 30

Alexandria

Mar 6

Columbus

Mar 11

Baton Rouge

Feb 26

Savannah

Mar 1

IDAHO

Monroe

Mar 3

Shreveport

Mar 10

Boise

May 5

MAINE

Idaho Falls

May 27

Augusta

Apr 27

Moscow

May 25

Bangor

May 7

Salmon

May 25

ILLINOIS

Portland

May 2

Presque Isle

May 21

Chicago

Apr 20

MARYLAND

Mt. Vernon

Apr 14

Baltimore

Apr 11

Quincy

Apr 10

Frederick

Apr 9

Springfield

Apr 13

Salisbury

Apr 5

INDIANA

MASSACHUSETTS

Evansville

Apr 3

Boston

Apr 7

Indianapolis

Apr 18

New Bedford

Apr 13

South Bend

Apr 26

Terre Haute

Apr 20

Worcester

Apr 26

NOTE: Higher elevations in HAWAII do occasionally see at-or-near freezing temperatures

but definitive frost dates are not available.

2 0 1 5-2016 Fa rmers Almanac/Almanac Pub l i s h i ng C o m p a ny

2016 AVERAGE LAST FROST DATES

MICHIGAN

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Cheboygan

May 18

Berlin

May 20

Detroit

Apr 26

Concord

May 20

Grand Rapids

May 5

Keene

May 13

Marquette

May 11

Nashua

May 7

MINNESOTA

NEW JERSEY

Baudette

May 16

Atlantic City

Duluth

May 15

Cape May

Apr 6

Minneapolis

Apr 30

New Brunswick

Apr 20

Willmar

Apr 30

Newark

Apr 3

MISSISSIPPI

Mar 31

NEW MEXICO

Greenville

Mar 9

Albuquerque

Apr 16

Hattiesburg

Mar 12

Carlsbad

Apr 3

Jackson

Mar 23

Santa Rosa

Apr 19

Tupelo

Apr 5

NEW YORK
Albany

May 2

Jefferson City

Apr 13

Buffalo

Apr 24

Kansas City

Apr 7

Elmira

May 9

Poplar Bluff

Apr 4

Lake Placid

Jun 7

St. Louis

Apr 7

New York City

Apr 1

Syracuse

Apr 28

MISSOURI

MONTANA
Billings

May 8

NORTH CAROLINA

Bozeman

May 26

Asheville

Apr 12

Glendive

May 2

Charlotte

Apr 11

Great Falls

May 17

Fayetteville

Mar 28

Helena

May 19

Raleigh-Durham

Apr 10

NEBRASKA
Grand Island

NORTH DAKOTA
Apr 26

Bismarck

May 14

North Platte

May 5

Fargo

May 10

Omaha

Apr 21

Grand Forks

May 10

Scottsbluff

May 3

Minot

May 9

Elko

Jun 9

Cincinnati

Apr 13

NEVADA

OHIO

Ely

Jun 18

Cleveland

Apr 30

Las Vegas

Feb 16

Columbus

Apr 26

Reno

May 21

Toledo

May 1

2 0 1 6 Spring Weather & Planting Guide - Far m e r s A l m a na c . c om

2016 AVERAGE
LAST FROST DATES
OKLAHOMA
Beaver

TEXAS
Amarillo

Apr 18

Dallas

Mar 3

Houston

Feb 8

San Antonio

Feb 28

Apr 18

UTAH

Enid

Apr 4

Cedar City

May 21

Lawton

Mar 29

Logan

May 14

Tulsa

Mar 27

Moab

Apr 14

Salt Lake City

Apr 19

OREGON

VERMONT

Baker

Jun 3

Eugene

Apr 22

Burlington

May 8

Klamath Falls

Jun 7

Montpelier

May 11

Portland

Mar 23

Rutland

May 13

PENNSYLVANIA

VIRGINIA

Erie

Apr 29

Charlottesville

Apr 7

Lebanon

Apr 27

Norfolk

Mar 20

Philadelphia

Apr 6

Richmond

Apr 6

Pittsburgh

Apr 29

Roanoke

Apr 13

Wilkes Barre

Apr 26

WASHINGTON

RHODE ISLAND

Olympia

May 5

Kingston

May 8

Seattle

Mar 10

Providence

Apr 16

Spokane

May 2

Vancouver

Apr 20

Mar 9

WEST VIRGINIA

SOUTH CAROLINA
Charleston
Columbia

Apr 1

Charleston

Apr 22

Florence

Mar 26

Martinsburg

Apr 19

Greenville

Apr 4

Morgantown

Apr 30

SOUTH DAKOTA

WISCONSIN

Hot Springs

May 16

Appleton

Pierre

May 2

Eau Claire

May 7

Sioux Falls

May 3

Madison

May 10

Watertown

May 10

Milwaukee

Apr 27

TENNESSEE

May 4

WYOMING

Chattanooga

Apr 1

Casper

Knoxville

Apr 16

Cheyenne

May 12

Memphis

Mar 22

Gillette

May 18

Nashville

Apr 6

Green River

Jun 4

May 22

2 0 1 5-2016 Fa rmers Almanac/Almanac Pub l i s h i ng C o m p a ny

TOP 10
1. TOMATOES

VEGETABLES
TO GROW
by Amber Kanuckel

2. CUCUMBERS

Start: Start seeds 6-8 weeks before the last frost Start: Seeds best started directly in the garden
after soil temperatures reach 60 to 65F
Transplant: Plant outdoors when night time
lows reach 60F or higher
Water: Regularly, particularly after flowers
Water: Regularlysoil must be evenly moist,
appear
but not soggy

3. SWEET BELL PEPPERS

Start: Start seeds 8-10 weeks before the last frost
Transplant: When soil temperatures reach at
least 60 to 70F
Water: Regularlykeep soil moist but not
flooded

5. CARROTS
Start: Start seeds outdoors, after frost, when
soil temperatures reach 55F
Water: Daily, very lightly until seeds sprout,
then cut back to once weekly, or as the soil dries

4. BEANS
Start: Never start indoors, sow outdoors when
average temperatures reach 60 to 70F
Water: Once per week, or each time the soil
starts to dry out

6. SUMMER SQUASH
Start: Start seeds 3-4 weeks before the last frost
Transplant: When soil temperatures reach 60F
Water: Weekly, or whenever soil starts to dry out

2 0 1 6 Spring Weather & Planting Guide - Far m e r s A l m a na c . c om

7. ONIONS

8. LETTUCE

3 Ways to Start: (1) Start seeds in midsummer,

harvest sets in the fall (2) Start seeds indoors
8-10 weeks before the last frost (3) Start last
years sets outdoors 2-4 weeks before the last
frost date
Transplant: (Seeds or sets) 2-4 weeks before
the last frost
Water: Once to twice per week to keep soil
moiststop one week before harvesting

Start: Start seeds outdoors as soon as the soil

can be worked, or indoors 3-4 weeks before you
transplant them
Transplant: Transplant any time once plants
have been hardened off
Water: Once per week during springswitch
to more frequent, light watering over the summer

9. PEAS

10. SWEET CORN

Start: Start seeds outdoors after last frost

Start: Sow seed outdoors as soon as the soil
can be worked
Water: Frequentlyat least twice per week,
Water: Only when the soil is dryabout once
more during hot, dry weather
per week in the spring, more often in the summer

United States Department

of Agriculture (USDA) Plant
Hardiness Zone Map
Gardeners should use this map to determine
which plants are most likely to thrive in a
specific area.
Click on the map to be directed to a larger
image, or visit the USDA website here:

PlantHardiness.ars.usda.gov
2 0 1 5-2016 Fa rmers Almanac/Almanac Pub l i s h i ng C o m p a ny

GARDENING

WHEN & WHAT

TO PLANT

The most favorable days for planting aboveground vegetables, root, and forage crops,
and for doing other gardening tasks as determined by the phases of the Moon in 2016

The Farmers Almanac Gardening by the Moon Calendar is determined by our age-old formula and
applies generally to regions where the climate is favorable. Because the gardening calendar is based
on the phase and position of the Moon, it is consistent across all growing zones. Recommended dates
are still "weather permitting," and you should talk with your local greenhouse or agricultural extension
office for the optimal window of time within which to use these dates.

HELPFUL DEFINITIONS
Aboveground Crops

Crops that produce their yield above the soil, such as

corn, peppers, squash, etc

Root Crops

Crops that produce their yield below the soil, such as

potatoes, radishes, carrots, etc.

Vine Crops

These are plants that grow on a vine such as beans,

cucumbers, pumpkins, etc.

Forage Crops

These are crops that are grown for livestock to graze on.

Seedbeds

A bed of soil cultivated for planting seeds or seedlings

before being transplanted.

Seedlings

A young plant, especially one that grows from a seed

rather than from a cutting.

Transplanting

To uproot and replant a growing plant or an already

well established plant.

Favorable,
Good,
and Best

These terms are all considered beneficial days for

planting seeds. Good and Favorable both pretty
much mean the same. However, Best is considered
the prime, optimal days for planting seeds.

2 0 1 6 Spring Weather & Planting Guide - Far m e r s A l m a na c . c om

2016
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
S M T W T F S
S M T W T F S

1 2

1
2 3 4 5 6

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7 8
9 10 11 12 13
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
28 29
31

MARCH
S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31

MAY
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31

JULY
AUGUST
S M T W T F S
S M T W T F S

1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
24 25 26 27 28 29 30 28 29 30 31
31

JUNE
S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30

SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
S M T W T F S
S M T W T F S

1 2 3
1
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
25 26 27 28 29 30
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31

MARCH
1, 2: Barren days, do no planting. 3, 4:
Any root crops that can be planted now
will do well. 5, 6: A barren period, best
suited for killing plant pests. Do plowing,
and cultivating. 7, 8: Good for planting
cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, and
other vine crops. Set strawberry plants.
7th is a good day for transplanting; also
favorable for planting beets, carrots,
radishes, salsify, turnips, peanuts, and
other root crops. 8th is a good day for
planting aboveground crops. 9, 10:
Cultivate and spray, do general farm
work, but no planting. 11, 12: Favorable
for planting crops bearing yield above
the ground. 13, 14: Seeds planted now
tend to rot in ground. 15-17: Excellent
for sowing seedbeds; flower gardens.
Best planting days for aboveground
crops, especially peas, beans, squash
and cucumbers where climate permits.
18-22: A mostly barren period, best
for killing plant pests or doing chores
around the farm. 23, 24: Fine for sowing

NOVEMBER
S M T W T F S

1
2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30

APRIL
S M T W T F S

1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30

DECEMBER
S M T W T F S

1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31

grains, hay, and forage crops; Planting

flowers. Favorable days for planting
your root crops. 25-27: Start seedbeds.
Good days for transplanting. Excellent
time for planting root crops that can
be planted now. Also good for leafy
vegetables. 28, 29: Barren days, do no
planting. 30, 31: Any root crops that
can be planted now will do well.
APRIL
1-3: Excellent time to kill weeds, briars,
poison ivy, and other plant pests. 4, 5:
Set strawberry plants. Excellent for any
vine crops, such as beans, peas, and
cucumbers. Good days for transplanting.
Favorable days for planting root crops.
6, 7: Poor planting days. Break ground
or cultivate. 8, 9: Favorable time for
planting beans, corn, cotton, tomatoes,
peppers, and aboveground crops. 10,
11: Poor days for planting, seeds tend
to rot in ground. 12, 13:Plant seedbeds
and start flower gardens. Plant your
tomatoes, beans, peppers, corn, cotton,
and aboveground crops on these most
(continued)

2 0 1 5-2016 Fa rmers Almanac/Almanac Pub l i s h i ng C o m p a ny

fruitful days. 14-18: Grub out weeds,

briars, and other plant pests. 19, 20: A
favorable time for sowing grains, hay,
and fodder crops. Plant flowers now.
Plant corn, melons, squash, tomatoes,
and other aboveground crops. 21-23:
Start seedbeds. 21st is favorable for
planting aboveground crops; cabbage,
cauliflower, lettuce, kale, celery, and
other leafy vegetables. Last two days
are good days for transplanting; also
for planting beets, carrots, radishes,
turnips, peanuts, and other root crops.
Also good for leafy vegetables. 24, 25:
Neither plant nor sow on these barren
days. 26-28: Favorable days for planting
your beets, carrots, turnips, radishes,
onions, and other root crops. 29, 30:
Excellent time to kill weeds, poison ivy,
briars, and other plant pests.

MAY
1, 2: Fine for vine crops. Set strawberry
plants. Good days for transplanting.
Favorable time for planting late root
crops. 3, 4: Poor planting. Fine for
cultivating or spraying. 5, 6: 5 th is a
good day for transplanting; also when

planted root crops will yield well. 6th

is favorable for planting beans, corn,
cotton, tomatoes, peppers, and other
aboveground crops. 7, 8: Any seed
planted now will tend to rot. 9, 10:
Plant seedbeds and flower gardens.
Most favorable for corn, cotton, okra,
beans, peppers, eggplant, and other
aboveground crops. 11-15: A barren
period. Favorable for killing plant pests,
cultivating, or even taking a short
vacation. 16-18: Favorable time for
sowing hay, fodder crops, and grains;
Planting flowers. Excellent time for
planting corn, beans, peppers, and
other aboveground crops. 19, 20: Plant
seedbeds now. Excellent for planting
aboveground crops, and planting leafy
vegetables. 21-23: Seeds planted now
will do poorly and yield little. 24, 25:
Plant late beets, potatoes, onions,
carrots, and other root crops. 26, 27:
Kill plant pests on these very barren
days. 28, 29: Fine for vine crops. Set
strawberry plants. Transplant. Favorable for planting late root crops. 30,
31: Poor planting. Cultivate or spray.

GARDENING BY THE MOON QUICK VIEW TABLE

MONTH

Plant
Aboveground
Crops

Plant
Root Crops

Transplant

Plant
Seedbeds

Plant
Flowers

Kill Plant
Pests

March

8, 11, 12,
15-17

3, 4, 7,
23-27,
30, 31

7, 25-27

15-17,
25-25

15-17,
23, 24

1, 2, 5, 6,
9, 10, 13,
14, 18-22,
28, 29

April

8, 9, 12,
13, 19-21

4, 5, 22,
23, 26-28

4, 5, 22, 23

12, 13,
21-23

12, 13,
19, 20

1-3, 6, 7,
10, 11,
14-18, 24,
25,
29, 30

May

6, 9, 10,
16-20

1, 2, 5, 24,
25, 28, 29

1, 2, 5,
28, 29

9, 10, 19,
20

9, 10,
16-18

3, 4, 7,
8, 11-15,
21-23, 26,
27,
30, 31

Get the complete Gardening By the Moon Calendar at

FarmersAlmanac.com
2 0 1 6 Spring Weather & Planting Guide - Far m e r s A l m a na c . c om

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2 0 1 5-2016 Fa rmers Almanac/Almanac Pub l i s h i ng C o m p a ny