Whether you want to start seeds indoors or sow seeds outdoors, this spring guide covers planting times for 30 popular crops. Kick off your season on time!
When Should I Start Seeds?
The following table indicates when to start seeds relative to your spring frost date.Example: Start lettuce seeds, indoors, 6 weeks before your spring frost date.
Click here to find your spring frost date. Need help getting started? Get my step-by-step guide to starting seeds indoors.
| Crop Name | Indoor Start Date | Transplant Earliest Date | Transplant Latest Date | Direct Sow Outdoors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beans | N/A | N/A | N/A | 1 week after |
| Beets | N/A | N/A | N/A | 2 weeks before |
| Broccoli | 9 weeks before | 2 weeks before | N/A | 2 weeks before |
| Brussels sprouts | 6 weeks before | 2 weeks before | 9 weeks after | 2 weeks before |
| Cabbage | 6 weeks before | 2 weeks before | 9 weeks after | week of |
| Carrot | N/A | N/A | N/A | 2 weeks before |
| Cauliflower | 6 weeks before | 2 weeks after | N/A | N/A |
| Collard greens | 6 weeks before | 2 weeks before | N/A | week of |
| Cucumber | 3 weeks before | 2 weeks after | 8 weeks after | 2 weeks after |
| Eggplant | 8 weeks before | 4 weeks after | 8 weeks after | N/A |
| Kale | 9 weeks before | 4 weeks before | N/A | 4 weeks before |
| Kohlrabi | N/A | N/A | N/A | 2 weeks before |
| Lettuce | 6 weeks before | 4 weeks before | N/A | 4 weeks before |
| Melon | N/A | N/A | N/A | 4 weeks after |
| Okra | 2 weeks before | 4 weeks after | 10 weeks after | N/A |
| Onion (seeds) | 10 weeks before | 4 weeks before | 8 weeks after | N/A |
| Onion (sets & transplants) | N/A | 4 weeks before | 8 weeks after | N/A |
| Peas | N/A | N/A | N/A | 4 weeks before |
| Peppers | 8 weeks before | 2 weeks after | 10 weeks after | N/A |
| Potatoes | N/A | N/A | N/A | 2 weeks after |
| Radish | N/A | N/A | N/A | 4 weeks before |
| Rutabaga | N/A | N/A | N/A | 3 weeks after |
| Spinach | N/A | N/A | N/A | 2 weeks before |
| Summer Squash | N/A | N/A | N/A | 4 weeks after |
| Sweet Potatoes (Slips) | N/A | 4 weeks after | 10 weeks after | N/A |
| Swiss chard | 4 weeks before | week of | N/A | week of |
| Tomatoes | 6 weeks before | 2 weeks after | 10 weeks after | N/A |
| Turnips | N/A | N/A | N/A | 2 weeks before |
| Winter Squash | N/A | N/A | N/A | 4 weeks after |
Note for Hot Climate Gardeners
Frost dates are the most common indicator for figuring out when to start seeds. However, if you live in a hot, dry climate, or at a high elevation, frost dates might not always be your best guide.
Check with your local extension office to get specific details relative to your unique conditions.
Would you like to learn more about seed starting and planting?
You’ll find loads of information just like this in my award-winning book, The Suburban Micro-Farm.
Get your seed starting dates automatically calculated for you!
Staying on course and starting seeds at the right time requires just a bit of planning and organization. Imagine a tool in which you type in your frost date, and it automatically calculates the following for EACH CROP:
- indoor seed starting dates
- transplanting dates
- direct sowing outside dates
- succession planting (how many days between sowing for a continuous harvest)
- spacing in the garden
- days to harvest
- companion planting suggestions
- special soil amendments
- PLUS, fall planting dates for each crop for a continuous, year-round harvest.
Sound amazing?
The good news: This tool exists, and it is just one of four BONUS DOWNLOADS you receive with your purchase of The Suburban Micro-Farm! Read more about all of the bonuses in my article Four Garden Planning Tools You Need.
Need more inspiration?
READ NEXT:
- 5 Myths about Starting a Micro Homestead
- Want to be a Micro-Farmer? 6 Tips for Success (and Six Things Not To Do)
- Starting Seeds Indoors: A Step-by-Step Guide
Have you developed a routine for starting seeds in the spring?
Gaby Galvan says
On the table, it says “indoor start date” and it lists number of weeks in that column, is that the number of weeks to start before the last frost?
Amy says
Yes, it is.