when can I plant basjoos outside?
 

Yes, it's March, and I'm in southern WI, but we have had an incredible winter! My hostas are coming up well, raspberries are leafing out, strawberries are popping up out of the ground like they never left....it's amazing. We've already been in the 80's!

So I have the planting bug big time.... I planted some more raspberries and horse tail, because the raspberries HAD to go in, and I figured the horsetail could handle it (along our large, natural pond).

We've been in the 60's and 70's, with a few 80's...some lows in the 60's, but in looking at the extended forecast, the lowest low is in the upper 30's. My bananas have been inside, growing actively all winter.

I've been putting them outside on warm, not-so-windy days, to help them get adjusted, and just doing that has made them really throw those leaves out.

I'm sure it's way too early now....but how low, unprotected, can the low be to leave them safely outside?

Re: when can I plant basjoos outside?
 

That's a tough call. Madison usually has a good chance of frost/freeze up to the end of April. But then again this year has been very different. I would be more worried about the temp of the soil. Bananas do not like cool, wet soil. What are you going do?

Re: when can I plant basjoos outside?
 

Gonna hold out for now....definitely didn't plan on doing it quite yet...but if the weather pattern continues to be similar over the coming weeks, I may try. I got them a year ago. I very much remember...because of our crazy weather last year, they didn't go out in the ground until Memorial Day weekend! This year I'm hoping it will be much earlier! Will definitely keep in mind the ground temps....it's just been an amazing winter here! (some wouldn\'t think so, but I\'m one who\'s lived here all my life, and just don\'t like winter after the first snowfall!! Y\'all will know when I get \'em in! I just can\'t wait!! But, know I have to....because the weather is just teasing us I\'m sure. We usually have snow on the ground now! And I\'ve already gotten sunburnt, mowed the lawn, and enjoyed our first high of 82 degrees! Awesome....

Re: when can I plant basjoos outside?
 

What a treat it must be to have the summer weather already. I grew up south of Madison in Fort Atkinson and lived in Madison for about seven years before moving south. I remember the occasional late April snow after a week of 70 degree weather. That was such a tease, but at least it melted the next day.

Madison was a terrific place to live.

Re: when can I plant basjoos outside?
 

Re: when can I plant basjoos outside?
 

Yes Angie, I have the planting bug too, and the winter was incredible here in
Massachusetts also. Last year I had the snow thrower out 2 - 3 times a week, this year it was out once! As Bob said the biggest concern is soil temp, still way to cold. Patience grasshopper. ;)