When to Start Seeds Indoors

Posted By: Amy 4 Comments on When to Start Seeds Indoors

Posted: Jan 31, 2013 Updated: Oct 31, 2015

This post may contain affiliate links: disclosure policy.

You have to know the last frost date for the area that you live so that you know When to Start Seeds Indoors.  Different Seeds take different amounts of time to germinate and grow to the proper size to be planted outdoors.
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My first packages of seeds have arrived in my mailbox –woo, woo.  I LOVE buying seeds.    I know its weird but I have decided to embrace my weirdness and share.  A few of my favorite seed companies are Johnny’s, Harris, Seeds of Change and Burpee.

Knowing my seeds were on their way, I ran to Loews earlier this week and picked up my seed starting trays and seed mix along with a bird feeder cleaner that I found next to the bird seed. (a genius of a little tool – why didn’t I invent this?).

Now that I have Seeds (check), Seed Starting Mix (check), Trays to grow seeds in (check) I am ready to start sowing, but first I have to decide which seeds I want to start inside versus direct sow into the garden.

Direct sow means inserting seeds into the soil directly so they will germinate and grow from that location or in easy speak, plant outside.

I direct sow parsley, cilantro, lettuce mixes, beets, carrots, radishes, and beans.

I like to start seeds of basil, eggplant, cauliflower, tomatoes, and an assortment of flowers inside at the end of winter, to later transplant into the garden when the temperature allows.

I like separating the seed packets into various piles, such as which ones I will be starting inside, directing sowing and then I have figure out when I need to start which seeds when?  It can become a bit confusing to keep track of the schedule.

Well, life is a little easier for me thanks to Dave from All Things Plants via Margaret Roach.  Margaret shared Dave’s new Garden Planting Calendar application this week in her garden post.  I jumped on over and checked it out and boy was I thrilled.  Dave  is a garden expert who founded Dave’s Garden, which he ran before moving to All Things Plants.

If you plan on starting seeds you have to check this thing out its simple to use, which means we will use it!

You enter in your zip code and voila below pops up a your vegetable planting for your area strategy calendar with crop, start time for seeds inside and time to transplant seeds into garden and when to direct sow.

Below is a snap shot of what mine looks like to entice you into trying this out.

You can then print out the schedule and keep it with where you store your seeds.  Obviously mother nature will be the ending decision maker on when you can and can’t start planting outside, but this schedule definitely makes the process much easier.  I hope you enjoy it!  I know I will.

Have a great weekend.

xo, Amy

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Okay, now here are the cold, hard numbers, along with specific plants:

You might also like:

Tips for Starting Seeds Step 1 {Planting}

Tips for Starting Seeds Step 2 {Growing}