Seed Starting: When to Plant Vegetables – ALL Zones
The following table shows suggested vegetable seed-starting guidelines for all USDA hardiness zones. Start with a calendar and the average last spring frost date in your area, then use the timing below to determine the correct planting date. You can also refer to seed packets for the timing of your plantings. The "Indoors" column refers to the date you would start seeds indoors. If a crop is only listed under "Outdoors," that means it should be sown directly into the garden. When I mention early spring sowing, make sure the soil is dry and crumbly before working with it. References to "protection" for some warm-season crops means using floating row cover initially after transplanting to keep them warm.
| Crop | Indoors | Outdoors |
|---|---|---|
| Arugula | In early spring as soon as the soil can be worked, or in late summer for a fall crop. | |
| Artichoke | Zones 7-11, grow as a perennial. Colder zones: begin vernalization of seed 3 months before last frost date. Refer to blog post on "Seed-starting terminology" for more information. | transplant after danger of frost is past. |
| Basil | Sow indoors about 6 weeks prior to last frost. | Transplant 2 weeks after last spring frost OR sow directly outdoors at that time. |
| Bean (pole or bush) | 2 weeks prior to last spring frost | transplant after danger of frost has passed OR sow directly outdoors at that time. |
| Beet | In early spring through summer | |
| Broccoli | 6 weeks before last spring frost. | transplant after danger of hard frosts has passed |
| Carrot | sow directly in early spring or throughout season | |
| Celery | 10 weeks before last spring frost date | transplant after danger of frost has passed |
| Cilantro | in spring OR the about 50 days before tomatoes ripen if pairing with them for salsa | |
| Corn | 2-3 weeks before danger of frost has passed or direct-sow | transplant after danger of frost has passed sow directly at that time |
| Cucumber | 2 weeks before last spring frost date | transplant (with protection for 2 weeks) after danger of frost has passed |
| Eggplant | 8-10 weeks before average last frost date | transplant after last frost date (with protection for 2-3 weeks) |
| Kale | 4 weeks before transplanting in garden in spring or in mid-summer for a winter crop | transplant in early spring or mid-August (for winter crop) |
| Leek | 8-10 weeks before last spring frost date | transplant about two weeks before last frost date |
| Lettuce | sow directly in early spring | |
| Melon | 2 weeks before last spring frost date | transplant after danger of frost has passed (with protection for 2 weeks) |
| Parsley | 6-8 weeks before transplanting out into garden in spring (or purchase plants at nursery) | transplant in early to mid-spring |
| Parsnip | sow directly in early spring | |
| Pea | indoors in early spring or sow directly (note: if you intend to transplant individual pea seedlings outdoors, sow them indoors about 6 weeks before your last frost date and transplant outdoors about a month before your last frost date. If starting "gutter peas" indoors, start them about 8 weeks before your last frost date and transplant each gutter of them about 4 weeks before the last frost date.) | transplant two weeks after germination indoors OR sow directly outdoors in early to mid-spring |
| Pepper | 9-10 weeks prior to last spring frost date | transplant after danger of frost has passed (with protection for 2 weeks) |
| Pumpkin | 2 weeks before last spring frost date | transplant after danger of frost has passed (with protection for 2 weeks) |
| Radish | sow directly in the garden in early spring | |
| Spinach | sow directly in early spring and/or late summer | |
| Squash (summer or winter varieties) | 2 weeks before last spring frost date | transplant after danger of frost has passed (with protection for 2 weeks) |
| Swiss chard | sow directly in early spring | |
| Tomatillo | 4 weeks before last anticipated spring frost | transplant after danger of frost has passed (with protection for 2 weeks) |
| Tomato | 6 weeks before last anticipated spring frost | transplant after danger of frost has passed (with protection for 2 weeks) |