Download Resource
The information below, and in a printable table, will help you to determine the best time to start your seeds.
You are watching: Growing Vegetables: When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden [fact sheet]
Read more : How to Clean Cauliflower: A Step-by-Step Guide
You must first, determine the last frost date for your area. Do not seed or transplant frost-sensitive plants before this date. For central NH, Memorial Day is a conservative estimate for the last frost date.
Using a calendar, mark the date and count backwards the number of weeks the seed takes to grow from sowing. This will be the date you will start your seeds.
Example: Tomatoes take 6-8 weeks from sowing until transplant. If you want to plant in the garden on Memorial Day then count back 8 weeks and start seeds the first week of April.
Read more : 7 Easy Methods to Add Nitrogen to Your Soil
T – Crops marked with a (T) should be started from seed indoors and set out as transplants.
S – Crops marked with an (S) have a relatively short harvest season, which can be prolonged by doing multiple smaller “sequence” plantings.
Crops and Planting Information
Basil (T,S)
- Time from seed to transplant: 6-8 weeks
- Safe to set out in garden: 2 weeks after last frost
Bean (S)
- Plant seed in garden after last frost
Beet
- Plant seed in garden when soil warms to 45°F
Broccoli (S)
- Time from seed to transplant: 4-6 weeks
- Safe to set out in garden: 2-4 weeks before last frost
Brussels Sprout (T)
- Time from seed to transplant: 4-6 weeks
- Safe to set out in garden: 2-4 weeks before last frost
Cabbage (T)
- Time from seed to transplant: 4-6 weeks
- Safe to set out in garden: 4 weeks before last frost
Carrot
- Plant seed in garden when soil warms to 60°F
Cauliflower (T)
- Time from seed to transplant: 4-6 weeks
- Safe to set out in garden: 2 weeks before last frost
Celery (T)
- Time from seed to transplant: 10-12 weeks
- Safe to set out in garden: After last frost
Corn (S)
- Plant seed in garden when soil warms to 60°F
Cucumber
- Time from seed to transplant: 3-4 weeks
- Safe to set out in garden: 1-2 weeks after last frost
- Plant seed in garden when soil warms to 70°F
Eggplant (T)
- Time from seed to transplant: 8-10 weeks
- Safe to set out in garden: 2-3 weeks after last frost
Kale
- Time from seed to transplant: 4-6 weeks
- Safe to set out in garden: 4 weeks before last frost
Kohlrabi
- Time from seed to transplant: 4-6 weeks
- Safe to set out in garden: 4 weeks before last frost
Leek (T)
- Time from seed to transplant: 8-10 weeks
- Safe to set out in garden: 4 weeks before last frost
Lettuce (S)
- Time from seed to transplant: 4-5 weeks
- Safe to set out in garden: 3-4 weeks before last frost
Melon (T)
- Time from seed to transplant: 3-4 weeks
- Safe to set out in garden: 2 weeks after last frost
Onion (T)
- Time from seed to transplant: 8-10 weeks
- Safe to set out in garden: 4 weeks before last frost
Parsley (T)
- Time from seed to transplant: 9-10 weeks
- Safe to set out in garden: 2-3 weeks before last frost
Parsnip
- Plant seed in garden after last frost
Pea
- Plant seed in garden as soon as soil thaws
Pepper (T)
- Time from seed to transplant: 8-10 weeks
- Safe to set out in garden: 2 weeks after last frost
Potato
- Plant seed potatoes in garden 1-2 weeks before last frost
Pumpkin
- Time from seed to transplant: 3-4 weeks
- Safe to set out in garden: 2 weeks after last frost
- Plant seed in garden when soil warms to 70°F
Radish
- Plant seed in garden 2-4 weeks before last frost
Rutabaga
- Plant seed in garden from mid-June to mid-July
Spinach
- Time from seed to transplant: 4-6 weeks
- Safe to set out in garden: 3-6 weeks before last frost
Summer Squash
- Time from seed to transplant: 3-4 weeks
- Safe to set out in garden: 2 weeks after last frost
- Plant seeds in garden when soil warms to 70°F
Sweetpotato
- Plant slips (i.e. plants) in garden 1-2 weeks after last frost
Swiss Chard
- Time from seed to transplant: 4-6 weeks
- Safe to set out in garden 2 weeks before last frost
- Plant seed in garden 4 weeks before last frost
Tomato (T)
- Time from seed to transplant: 6-8 weeks
- Safe to set out in garden: 1-2 weeks after last frost
Turnip
- Plant seed in garden 2-4 weeks before last frost
Winter Squash
- Time from seed to transplant: 3-4 weeks
- Safe to set out in garden: 2 weeks after last frost
- Plant seed in garden when soil warms to 70°F
Zucchini
- Time from seed to transplant: 3-4 weeks
- Safe to set out in garden: 2 weeks after last frost
- Plant seed in garden when soil warms to 70°F
Special thanks Master Gardener Karen Downing for co-authoring the original fact sheet.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Garden news
James marcusGarden Courte is a blog written by [James Marcus], a passionate gardener and writer. She has been gardening for over 20 years and has a deep understanding of plants and how to care for them. In her blog, she shares her knowledge and experience with others, providing tips and advice on gardening, plant care, and more.