Planting Times
In terms of their preferred, and in some cases required, growing temperature, plants fall into two main groups: cool-season plants and warm-season plants.
Cool-Season
Because cool-season plants can take a light frost but get severely stressed and often bolt and go to seed when temperates get over 80 to 85°F (so like 27-30°C), each species can be planted a certain number of weeks before your specific, local, average last frost date to take advantage of the cooler weather but longer, sunny days of spring that they love. You can use the number of weeks before your average last frost date that I have displayed here, or you can use the seed packets, which typically display this information along with planting depth, spacing, etc. All will work well and will be about the same.
Cool-Season Planting Times
| Garlic (fall) | Arugula (4-8)* |
| Shallots (fall) | Asian Greens (4-8)* |
| Onions (4-6, 8-12)* | Radishes (3-4) |
| Onion Sets (4-6) | Potatoes (2-4) |
| Leeks (1-3, 10-12)* | Turnips (2-3) |
| Peas (ASAP/50°) | Broccoli (4-8)* |
| Carrots (ASAP/50°) | Cauliflower (4-8)* |
| Beets (ASAP/50°) | Cabbage (4-8)* |
| Parsnips (ASAP/50°) | Kale (4-8)* |
| Chard (ASAP/50°) | Collards (4-8)* |
| Spinach (4-8)* | Kohlrabi (4-8)* |
| Lettuce (4-8)* | Brussels Sprouts (90-100 days b/f first fall frost) |
ASAP/50° = as soon as soil reaches 50°/can be worked
*small numbers and number ranges (e.g. 4, 4-6) = direct-seeded or transplanted
*larger numbers and number ranges (e.g. 8, 8-12) = seeds started indoors
Warm-Season
Because warm season plants typically can’t take a frost and love warmer temperatures, they’re typically planted on, or a certain number of weeks after, your specific, local average last frost date. Similarly, you can use the number of weeks after your average last frost date I have displayed here, or you can use the seed packets, which typically display this information along with planting depth, spacing, etc. All will work well and will be about the same.
Warm-Season Planting Times
| Sun Flowers (0-2) | Okra (0-2)…(*4-6) |
| Corn (0-3) | Tomatoes (2)…(*6) |
| Beans (1-2) | Basil (1-2)…(*6-8) |
| Squashes (2) | Peppers (2)…(*8) |
| Pumpkins (2) | Eggplant (2)…(*8-10) |
| Melons (2) | Sweet Potato Slips (3-4) |
| Cucumbers (2) |
* = weeks before last frost date to start seeds indoors
Finding Your Last Frost Date
You can find your specific, local average last frost date in the spring here—a page with links to two wonderful maps and a search by zip code—all of which will help you find your specific, local average last frost date. You can also just Google it.
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