A mild winter followed by a late March frost caused Valley farmers many problems as they tried to keep their crops safe from Mother Nature.

Farmers, like Dave O'Neill, said a mild winter leads to early blooming which can be a good thing if crops make it through the season.

On average, the last frost of the year doesn't happen until the middle of May. That leaves plenty of time for freezing temperatures to harm crops.

O'Neill said if he hadn't prepared for the most recent frost, his plants could have seen a lot of damage.

“Our plan is to always wait to plant those basils, peppers, tomatoes,” said O'Neill, the owner of Radical Roots Farm Keezletown. “All those tenders crops until really the first week of May. And then when we do that, we have a protection strategy in mind, and we watch the weather.”

Another challenge for farmers this spring will be the pests that were not completely killed during this year's mild winter.

O'Neill will give his tips on keeping plants safe at seven at the Friendly City Food Co-Op Thursday night.

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