Find The Best Time To Plant For Springtime - Complete Seed Starting Guide
Written by - Kaitlynn from MIgardener
You have finished mapping out your garden for this year, but now it's time to figure out when to start your seeds. Finding the perfect time to start seeds might be intimidating for beginners. But a word of advice from the experts; starting seeds indoors is a complete luxury and not a necessity to see fruitful (haha) results from your garden. Your garden can be just as successful without starting seeds indoors, and some varieties do better direct sown in the first place!
If you have the space in your home, an area with a good amount of sunlight, and the time to start your seeds in advance, here's how to get started. We'll also cover what types of plants don't do well when started indoors. With this guide you'll find that working out your perfect seeds starting time is simple.
Step 1: Last Frost Date
Timing is everything when it comes to seed starting. It's important to find the last frost date in your area in order to give your seedlings the time they need to mature for transplanting. There are a handful of ways to find last frost dates online and in person. Our new garden planner comes with a last frost chart that you can use as a guide for your area. You can look up last frost dates online that are more specific to your location on the Old Farmers Almanac. For our international readers, google is a straightforward resource to find your last frost date by looking up your nearest big city.
Step 2: Follow the Guide
After finding your last frost date, here is a comprehensive list of plants and when they should be started indoors and out.
Start Indoors:
| Type | # of Weeks Before Last Frost |
| Lavender | 5-7 |
| Lemongrass | 5-7 |
| Artichokes | 5-7 |
| Rosemary | 5-7 |
| Perennial Flowers | 5-7 |
| Strawberries | 5-7 |
| Bunching Onions | 5-6 |
| Eggplants | 4-6 |
| Peppers | 4-5 |
| Tomatoes | 4-5 |
| Basil | 4-5 |
| Parsley | 4-5 |
| Onions | 4-5 |
| Celery | 4-5 |
| Tomatillos | 4-5 |
| Annual Flowers | 3-5 |
| Chives | 3-5 |
| Sage | 3-4 |
| Thyme | 3-4 |
| Asparagus | 3-4 |
| Kale | 3-4 |
| Kohlrabi | 3-4 |
| Brussel Sprouts | 3-4 |
| Collards | 3-4 |
| Broccoli | 3-4 |
| Lettuce | 2-4 |
| Cabbage | 2-4 |
| Mustard Greens | 2-4 |
| Spinach | 2-3 |
| Parsley | 2-3 |
| Dill | 2-3 |
| Rhubarb | 2-3 |
| Sunflowers | 2-3 |
| Okra | 2-3 |
| Swiss Chard | 2-3 |
| Melon | 1-2 |
| Cilantro | 1-2 |
| Cucumbers | 1-2 |
| Squash | 1-2 |
Direct Sow Outdoors:
Some plants like root vegetables, large plants, corn , and garlic sets don't transplant well from indoors to outdoors. Here's a guide to when to start direct sowing these types.
| Type | # of Weeks Before/After Last Frost |
| Beets | 3-4 - before |
| Carrots | 1-2 - before |
| Radishes | 1-2 - before |
| Potatoes | 4-5 - before |
| Corn | 3 - after |
| Peas | 3 - after |
| Beans | 3 - after |
| Turnips | 1-2 - before |
| Parsnips | 1-2 - before |
| Peanuts | 2 - after |
| Sunflowers | 1 - after |
| Spinach | 1-2 - before |
| Bunching Onions | 1 - before |
| Asparagus (crowns) | 2-3 - before |
I think I can answer a couple of these questions. Maria, “direct sow” always refers to seeds; it means directly sowing seeds into the garden. Sue, peas are cool weather, but they don’t survive a frost/freeze. That’s why you plant after average last frost, but with a buffer time period. Sorry, Tammy. I can’t answer your question, so I hope Luke sees it.
Thank you so much for this guide.
Thank you! We appreciate you!
I have a row cover that says it protects to the 20’s. Can I direct seed any cool season crop seeds any earlier than the chart indicates under the row cover and if so, by how many weeks?
Thank you this is helpful. I am zone 6.
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