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Hi I'm just wondering if any "green thumbs" out there can help me decide of this is a good time to plant a garden and some flower bulbs I recently bought at a dollar store..With all this snow and below freezing weather at night I'm worried I would be starting too early and wasting my time and money spent.Does the "danger of frost"period actually mean the above ground freezing or is the ground below also to cold to plant my seeds and bulbs in??? I need to know what to do and soon..it's springtime and I haven't planted a thing!!Should I just wait out this cold snap we're in??

The ground is still frozen with this last cold snap. They are saying it is to be cold for some time yet. I would hold off planting anything outdoors. Depending on what bulbs you have you can plant some of them in Ice cream pails indoors and than transplant them later. Cannas, and Calla lilies for insistence.

just get them started indoors if you're growing from seeds.

myhandleistrain said "Bulbs should keep. Put them in a cool dry place. Earth needs to get some warm! Judging by the long term forecast, beginning or middle of May sounds about right! Don't rush! "

Yes...store in a cool, dry and I would like to add...dark place.

Is kind of "general" rule of thumb for planting the garden. Of course there are some garden plants and flowers that can be planted sooner and take the cold, but I am not an expert to say which ones those are

A superb horticulturalist, once said "Never plant anything in Manitoba before June 1st that will die from frost". I didn't listen last year, lost half my garden. Lesson learned LOL

Before the May long weekend, preferably June 1st.  
 
There are a few things that can go in about the beginning of May, like sweet peas (which like cool soil) and a few other things that I cannot for the life of me think of, but most annuals will not tolerate the night freezes we still get until late in May.

Our local Last Frost Date is may 30 according to several websites.

and then have early lettuce. But not showing signs yet of greening so I know it is not warm enough out yet. But in couple wks you could plant carrots and lettuce they dont mind the cold same as peas as mentioned. I like to do lettuce in succession so have fresh all throughout, that is why I do some in the fall so comes up first thing in spring. I also start my own flowers and veggies in Feb/March. I put tomatoes out in cozy koats in April, they have had snow on them many times in past yrs and they are fine in there, gives you early tomatoes too! Good luck!

Latest weather models showing a ridge building across the prairies starting Wednesday of next week (April 13th). Temperatures might even climb to the 20 degree mark.  
 
Time to get excited for all of the gardeners!

My Grandma always said not to plant until the first full moon after the May Long Weekend!

in Mid April then cover the garden & beds with clear poly sheets (tent pegged on the edges) to protect it. Seems to work good, I take the poly off on nice days and to water, we're usually eating & re-planting by the time everyone else is putting in their first seeds.

If the thermometer will go into the soil the temp should be at least 10 degrees celsius. may long weekend is usually safe but it froze after that last year.

Happy Trails said "in Mid April then cover the garden & beds with clear poly sheets (tent pegged on the edges) to protect it. Seems to work good, I take the poly off on nice days and to water, we're usually eating & re-planting by the time everyone else is putting in their first seeds. "

You're basically creating a cold frame, which extends the season. Hot caps might work too.  
 
For the OP, if your soil is workable you can plant things like onion sets and garlic bulbs now. Those can be planted usually as soon as the ground is workable. My garden was getting soft last week and some perennials started up, but seems to have refrozen the past couple of days. I would wait a week or so yet.  
 
Edited by Abbysmum, 2016-04-08 10:34:59

I have always heard after may long weekend. Our tulips sprouted like 2-3 weeks ago. though. but they have been in the garden since before we moved to our current house.

Thanks to all who answered, I appreciate the help (I didnt want to believe my husband on the issue) LOL  
I'll wait until the weather warms up more..now I gotta go tell him he was right and I was wrong, I'll never hear the end of it mind you!! HAHAHA