Seed Starting: When to Plant Vegetables – ALL Zones

The following table shows suggested vegetable seed-starting guidelines for all USDA hardiness zones. Start with a calendar and check the average last spring frost date in your area. Then use the timing below to determine the correct planting date.

You can also refer to seed packets for the timing of your plantings. The “Indoors” column refers to the date you would start seeds indoors. If a crop is only listed under “Outdoors,” that means it should be sown directly into the garden. When I mention early spring sowing, make sure the soil is dry and crumbly before working with it. References to “protection” for warm-season crops means using floating row cover initially after transplanting. It will keep them warm. I hope this seed starting information will be helpful for you.

Crop	Indoors	Outdoors
Arugula		In early spring as soon as the soil can be worked, or in late summer for a fall crop.
Artichoke	Zones 7-11, grow as a perennial. Colder zones: begin vernalization of seed 3 months before last frost date. Refer to blog post on “Seed-starting terminology” for more information.	transplant after danger of frost is past.
Basil	Sow indoors about 6 weeks prior to last frost.	Transplant 2 weeks after last spring frost OR sow directly outdoors at that time.
Bean (pole or bush)	2 weeks prior to last spring frost	transplant after danger of frost has passed OR sow directly outdoors at that time.
Beet		In early spring through summer
Broccoli	6 weeks before last spring frost.	transplant after danger of hard frosts has passed
Carrot		sow directly in early spring or throughout season
Celery	10 weeks before last spring frost date	transplant after danger of frost has passed
Cilantro		in spring OR the about 50 days before tomatoes ripen if pairing with them for salsa
Corn	2-3 weeks before danger of frost has passed or direct-sow	transplant after danger of frost has passed sow directly at that time
Cucumber	2 weeks before last spring frost date	transplant (with protection for 2 weeks) after danger of frost has passed
Eggplant	8-10 weeks before average last frost date	transplant after last frost date (with protection for 2-3 weeks)
Kale	4 weeks before transplanting in garden in spring or in mid-summer for a winter crop	transplant in early spring or mid-August (for winter crop)
Leek	8-10 weeks before last spring frost date	transplant about two weeks before last frost date
Lettuce		sow directly in early spring
Melon	2 weeks before last spring frost date	transplant after danger of frost has passed (with protection for 2 weeks)
Parsley	6-8 weeks before transplanting out into garden in spring (or purchase plants at nursery)	transplant in early to mid-spring
Parsnip		sow directly in early spring
Pea	indoors in early spring or sow directly (note: if you intend to transplant individual pea seedlings outdoors, sow them indoors about 6 weeks before your last frost date and transplant outdoors about a month before your last frost date. If starting “gutter peas” indoors, start them about 8 weeks before your last frost date and transplant each gutter of them about 4 weeks before the last frost date.)	transplant two weeks after germination indoors OR sow directly outdoors in early to mid-spring
Pepper	9-10 weeks prior to last spring frost date	transplant after danger of frost has passed (with protection for 2 weeks)
Pumpkin	2 weeks before last spring frost date	transplant after danger of frost has passed (with protection for 2 weeks)
Radish		sow directly in the garden in early spring
Spinach		sow directly in early spring and/or late summer
Squash (summer or winter varieties)	2 weeks before last spring frost date	transplant after danger of frost has passed (with protection for 2 weeks)
Swiss chard		sow directly in early spring
Tomatillo	4 weeks before last anticipated spring frost	transplant after danger of frost has passed (with protection for 2 weeks)
Tomato	6 weeks before last anticipated spring frost	transplant after danger of frost has passed (with protection for 2 weeks)