Vegetable Seed Start Dates

Note: The dates listed on the chart for recommended transplant out dates are just a guideline. The Spring here can sometimes throw a curveball your way. Vegetables started indoors will be more tender than those started outdoors. Keep this in mind when planting out and be sure to check the weather. Many vegetables are able to be seeded directly outside, this is often the easiest way as you don't have to transplant hundreds of seedlings.

If there is a variety your considering starting but it is not listed below, follow the dates for a "like" vegetable. ie: for a type of radish not listed; follow the general radish guidelines for planting dates. Germination time may vary slightly but usually not more than a few days from variety to variety. There are always new hybrid varieties becoming available that generally will do quite well compared to their well tested counterparts.

Most plants started indoors need hardening off, even hardy ones. They are used to the controlled conditions indoors and need to be acclimatized to the conditions outdoors.

Hardening Off:
• As the weather gets nicer start putting the plants outside during the day and bringing them in at night.
• After about 2 weeks the plants should be hardened off, start this process about 2 weeks before the plant out times, weather permitting of course.
• Some young plants are tender to frost and near frost conditions and need to be brought in at night, sometimes this weather will last into June.