First things first, determine your last frost date that is the average date of the last frost in your area. Check out our post on planting hardiness zones or you can usually get this information from local gardening resources, agricultural extension offices, or online databases.

Count Backwards: Once you know your last frost date, count backward to determine when to start planting seeds indoors and when to transplant seedlings outdoors.

Here's a detailed list of common garden plants along with the number of weeks before the last frost date they should be started indoors from seeds:

1. Tomatoes: Start indoors: 6-8 weeks before last frost

2. Peppers: Start indoors: 8-10 weeks before last frost

3. Eggplants: Start indoors: 8-10 weeks before last frost

4. Broccoli: Start indoors: 6-8 weeks before last frost

5. Cauliflower: Start indoors: 6-8 weeks before last frost

6. Brussels Sprouts: Start indoors: 6-8 weeks before last frost

7. Cabbage: Start indoors: 6-8 weeks before last frost

8. Lettuce: Direct sow outdoors: 4-6 weeks before last frost Alternatively, can be started indoors: 2-4 weeks before last frost

9. Spinach: Direct sow outdoors: 4-6 weeks before last frost Alternatively, can be started indoors: 2-4 weeks before last frost

10. Kale: Direct sow outdoors: 4-6 weeks before last frost Alternatively, can be started indoors: 4-6 weeks before last frost

11. Swiss Chard: Direct sow outdoors: 4-6 weeks before last frost Alternatively, can be started indoors: 2-4 weeks before last frost

12. Carrots: Direct sow outdoors: 2-4 weeks before last frost

13. Beets: Direct sow outdoors: 2-4 weeks before last frost

14. Radishes: Direct sow outdoors: 2-4 weeks before last frost

15. Cucumbers: Direct sow outdoors: 2-4 weeks after last frost Alternatively, can be started indoors: 2-4 weeks before last frost

16. Squash (including zucchini): Direct sow outdoors: 2-4 weeks after last frost Alternatively, can be started indoors: 2-4 weeks before last frost

17. Melons: Direct sow outdoors: 2-4 weeks after last frost Alternatively, can be started indoors: 2-4 weeks before last frost

18. Beans: Direct sow outdoors: 1-2 weeks after last frost

19. Corn: Direct sow outdoors: 1-2 weeks after last frost

20. Herbs (such as basil, parsley, cilantro): Start indoors: 6-8 weeks before last frost

21. Onions: Start indoors: 8-10 weeks before last frost

22. Leeks: Start indoors: 8-10 weeks before last frost

23. Celery: Start indoors: 10-12 weeks before last frost

24. Lavender: Start indoors: 10-12 weeks before last frost

25. Rosemary: Start indoors: 10-12 weeks before last frost

26. Thyme: Start indoors: 10-12 weeks before last frost

27. Oregano: Start indoors: 8-10 weeks before last frost

28. Mint: Start indoors: 8-10 weeks before last frost

29. Dill: Direct sow outdoors: 1-2 weeks before last frost

30. Fennel: Direct sow outdoors: 1-2 weeks before last frost

This list should give you a good starting point for planning your indoor seed starting schedule based on your last frost date. Adjustments may be necessary depending on your specific climate and growing conditions.

Categories: Growing Tags: #Hardiness Zones, #Frost Dates