Find out your last frost date, then look at the seed packets. It will tell you when to plant in reference to your last frost date. For example, cucumbers packets sometimes say "Plant out starting 1-2 weeks after last frost" or "after soil has warmed to 68 degrees".

Well, those two things don't necessarily happen at the same time. Just because you've had a last frost doesn't mean the soil is going to be 68 degrees 1-2 weeks later. That's why I also recommend using your local extension service and your local master gardeners. Your signature says you're in Illinois so you can start here: http://web.extension.illinois.edu/vegguide/ or here: http://urbanext.illinois.edu/veggies.

You might also consider going back to your local garden store and getting more information from them. I've found my local garden shop to be very helpful. There are often people there who've been gardening in your area for years and years and have seen it all.

That said, I want to make a few comments about your specific questions.

- I would recommend starting your cucumbers indoors now so they can start growing before you put them outside after it warms up. You can certainly start them outdoors in a few weeks, but then you lose some growth time.

- You can plant the kale seeds directly outdoors now. I've found kale to be quite tolerant of cold and heat (unlike some other cole vegetables). But even if it doesn't have time to mature before it gets too warm, you can harvest smaller leaves (which are very tender and yummy).

- For your potatoes (yay for Yukon Gold - great choice!), it depends on your soil. If you have a loose, well drained soil then you can plant them directly in the ground. Otherwise raised beds are good. I don't recommend containers or potato towers, as I've never gotten them to produce much. I'm a big believer in planting stuff directly into the ground, and I have 100% clay soil in my yard! You're in Illinois, so chances are your soil is a lot better than that.

Thank you so much for the reply! I will start my cucumbers today. I'll do my best to start the kale soon, too (although, we haven't prepared anything outside, yet). I'm also planning on looking at the links you posted. Thank you again! Now if only someone can answer my corn question.....

Sorry I couldn't help you with the corn. The IL extension link said to plant around last frost, or after last frost for supersweet varieties. I never have any luck with corn, so I don't dare give actual advice...which is sad because I'm from Illinois originally. :) Good luck!

although, we haven't prepared anything outside, yet

Then that needs to be your focus right now, not starting seeds. it will take far more time to get the planting area ready than it will for seeds grown indoors to be ready.

Kale is normally direct seeded, so are cukes. Cukes do not tolerate transplanting very well and if transplanted need to be done while still very young and small. A direct seeded cuke will always surpass a transplant quickly.

Corn - if you want any production then 8x8 would be the minimum I would recommend. 12x12 would be better.

Dave

Thanks to both of you. I am going to get the outdoor part of my garden going today, and hopefully the seeds will get planted as well.

Listed below are all the veggie seeds I bought. I wanted to know which ones take partial shade (3 - 5 hours).

Summer Squash (Early Prolific Straightneck and Cocozelle)
Kale (Red Russian)
Tomatoes (Red Siberian)
Bush Beans (Roma II)
Cucmumber (PEPINO Sweet Burpless Hybrid)
Potatoes (Yukon Gold)

Please let me know if any of these can be grown in partial shade. I would really appreciate it. Some of them I was already pretty sure could be grown this way, but I wanted to hear your feedback.

Thanks so much!

I've never grown Kale, so I don't know about that. But all the others you mention need at least six hours of sun a day. They would do better with more.

Kale will tolerate a little shade, afternoon shade, but it prefers sun and all the others on your list are 6-8 hour sun vegetables.

Dave