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When to Start Seeds: Your Guide to Spring Planting

Last Updated by Amy 4 Comments

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!

broccoli- spring planting

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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 NameIndoor
Start Date		Transplant
Earliest Date		Transplant
Latest Date		Direct Sow
Outdoors
BeansN/AN/AN/A1 week after
BeetsN/AN/AN/A2 weeks before
Broccoli9 weeks before2 weeks beforeN/A2 weeks before
Brussels sprouts6 weeks before2 weeks before9 weeks after2 weeks before
Cabbage6 weeks before2 weeks before9 weeks afterweek of
CarrotN/AN/AN/A2 weeks before
Cauliflower6 weeks before2 weeks afterN/AN/A
Collard greens6 weeks before2 weeks beforeN/Aweek of
Cucumber3 weeks before2 weeks after8 weeks after2 weeks after
Eggplant8 weeks before4 weeks after8 weeks afterN/A
Kale9 weeks before4 weeks beforeN/A4 weeks before
KohlrabiN/AN/AN/A2 weeks before
Lettuce6 weeks before4 weeks beforeN/A4 weeks before
MelonN/AN/AN/A4 weeks after
Okra2 weeks before4 weeks after10 weeks afterN/A
Onion
(seeds)		10 weeks before4 weeks before8 weeks afterN/A
Onion
(sets & transplants)		N/A4 weeks before8 weeks afterN/A
PeasN/AN/AN/A4 weeks before
Peppers8 weeks before2 weeks after10 weeks afterN/A
PotatoesN/AN/AN/A2 weeks after
RadishN/AN/AN/A4 weeks before
RutabagaN/AN/AN/A3 weeks after
SpinachN/AN/AN/A2 weeks before
Summer SquashN/AN/AN/A4 weeks after
Sweet Potatoes
(Slips)		N/A4 weeks after10 weeks afterN/A
Swiss chard4 weeks beforeweek ofN/Aweek of
Tomatoes6 weeks before2 weeks after10 weeks afterN/A
TurnipsN/AN/AN/A2 weeks before
Winter SquashN/AN/AN/A4 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 grow more food with less effort? Check out my mini guide, The Permaculture Inspired Vegetable Garden.

The Permaculture Inspired Vegetable Garden

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.

Have you developed a routine for starting seeds in the spring?

READ NEXT:

Related Articles:

  • When to Start Seeds: Your Guide to Fall Planting
  • Four Garden Planning Tools You Need This Year
  • How to Have a Productive Fall Garden (in 5 Easy Steps)
  • Storing Seeds for Long-Term Seed Saving

Permaculture Mini Course

Comments

  1. 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?

    Reply

  2. Angela Stalans says

    Hi, there. I ordered the Kindle version from Amazon and wondered how I will get the downloads. My husband’s email is associated with that account.

    This is my first garden so I’m excited and overwhelmed. But ready to jump in.

    Thanks for all your hard work.
    Angela Stalans

    Reply

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