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Vegetable Gardening

Seed Planting Dates Help

12 years ago

Hi,

I thought it was good to get an early seed planting so I can harvest earlier and they have more time to grow. I tried growing Pumpkins at the end of July and they didn't grow enough by the time the cold came. I just planted Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Carrots, Watermelons, Cantaloupes and some wildflower mixes outside like 3 days ago. It is March 8 now and I live in Southern PA, which I think is Zone 6. I was reading and it looks like all the planting dates were the beginning of May, but that just seemed too late for me. Will the seeds I planted grow from now until this summer? Or if they won't, will they be alright underground and grow when it gets warm or will that not be good for them? I thought the cold stunts the germination or will the cold just make them grow and die? It's not a big deal since seeds are so cheap, I can just replant them right? Please help!

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Comments (4)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
12 years ago
js, you need to obtain good LOCAL advice about planting dates for your location. The best place to get that is from your local extension office. I'll attach a link that will enable you to get the contact information for your county. You can either visit the office or call.

It seems awfully early to be planting in the field in your location. Seeds can rot in soil that is too cold. It is ALWAYS better to wait until the appropriate time for your location.

Here is a link that might be useful: click here for Extension information
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stuffradio
12 years ago
Pumpkins in July? I start them in May. I also start Melons at the end of April. I think you're starting things way too late. Like rhizo said, get local dates from somewhere.
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harveyhorses
12 years ago
You can get a start on things by starting your seeds inside, so when planting dates come around you don't start with seeds, but plants. Local extension agencies have a ton of information.
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sunnibel7 Md 7
12 years ago
Different plants need different temperatures to thrive, and you planted out a number of warmth loving types in some pretty cold soil. Your carrots might come up, possibly some of the wildflowers. Later, when it gets warm, your tomatoes may come up, since I have had seeds overwinter from fruit that were missed the previous year. But by that point, if you had started them inside you would have good-sized plants going. Not sure what will happen with your other seed.

You were right in thinking you didn't give your pumpkins enough time last year, but why would you assume May wouldn't be the right time to start given your reading? That's 60 days more of growth. Don't worry, you have plenty of time for your list of veggies to learn how to restart them better. Of your list, I would start the tomatoes inside, soonish. The carrots like cool weather and dislike being transplanted, so outside with them. The melons and cucs can be started inside too, a couple of weeks before the plant-out date because they grow fast and you don't want them to get too big for their pots. Or wait until the plant out date and just grow the seed in the ground. Cheers!
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