When to Start Seeds, Need a refresher

15 years ago

I want to be sure to be on time this year for gettng stuff started and ready to plant (and sell this year) So I'm just double checking to see what "formula" people use to decide when to start their seeds for spring planting.

I need to confirm when our last frost is (my DH says Easter, but I dont recall having cold temps that late last year.

I'm planning to grow a lot of different things, but some of the basics at least to start. Green Peppers, Okra, eggplant, turnip, beans, Squash, melons, cukes, herbs (basil, cillantro, oregano, roesemary, parsley, lemon balm, etc).

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Comments (9)

digdirt2
15 years ago
Just add your relevant information to the site linked below and it will compute seed starting dates for you.

Herbs can be started at anytime as long as you have the facilities and equipment to transplant them several times. It all depends on what size you want them to be for sale.

Peppers require specific warm soil temps for transplanting so are usually started 10 weeks prior to 75 degree soil. Same for eggplant. Okra, squash, and melons are all warm weather crops and best direct seeded but only after the soil has warmed. Okra especially is a hot weather vegetable planted mid-summer.

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: Grow Guide
rjinga
Original Author
15 years ago
thanks dave, that's what I had seen before and couldnt remember where I had seen it.
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OK, I'll start with adding transplant conditions as related to LFD of starting the seedlings. I've always followed the premise that peppers don't like cold feet, soil temps above 50ÃÂ°F to transplant, although I've read planting them doesn't harm them they just remain stagnant. Following this thought process, one season I was not able to transplant until the first week of July as June was cold, raw and wet. I didn't have the lights to keep 200 plants happy indoors so needless to say the early bloomers grew very leggy. The solution was was to plant 'em deeper! While members of the same family, indeterminate tomatoes benefit from this as they'll grow roots on the buried portion, peppers don't but they'll benefit from the support the soil gives them. So what does this have to do with seed start date? Nothing unless Mother Nature throws you a curve ball!
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I'm pissed! Someone sent me some Winter cold seeds that sprouted BIG TIME! Today was the coldest since 1950 something according to the news. Actually had temps. from the mid to low 30's. Looks like I might have lost 6 plants out of 40. NEVER is this cold here for more than a day or so. I'ts been below 40 at night for the last few days,close to a week until it warms up. Usually it isn't until Feb./March that we get cooler temps. Rain and cold nights are doing the root rot thing... Nothing froze though we had a couple actual 32 degree nights. On the good side,the mountains are getting a decent snow pack which MIGHT put a damper on our Drought. I guess 6 plants isn't much of a price to pay... I just hope none of the stuff I'm out of seeds for died. Most stuff I have backup starts for I think. OK,let the "I told ya so,shouldn't have bragged about S.Ca. weather" stuff get posted. LOL I desrerve it I guess. I still have about 100 starts indoors that haven't gone out yet. Several are podding up too. Almost as many seeds ready to put in soil that just sprouted. Hopefully I covered my butt...as far as still having replacements for what varieties I lost...I usually do OK. I just thought I'd let you cold winter guys know,when a dish of crow is served,I'll man up and eat it. Besides,all you guys that get a real winter need to kill some time yet. Posting suff about me semi bragging will give you something to do between shoveling that white stuff and putting on your longjohns until you can go in your basements to set up your grow stuff. Happy New years EVERYONE! Hope you get a decent season this year. I hear you guys mostly got crap weather last year so a lot of peoples gardens didn't produce no matter how much care they got. Maybe this year Ca. sucked up enough cold so you guys get a break this year. Hope you guys do great this year in everything not just your gardens. Happy New Year! This post was edited by smokemaster_2007 on Thu, Jan 1, 15 at 23:27
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digdirt2
15 years ago
Here is another one I found.

Here is a link that might be useful: Seed Starting Guide for all zones
kimmie_72
15 years ago
These are so awesome for a newbie. Thank you for taking the time to post them!
mailman22
15 years ago
Not to be a bubble buster or anything,,,,,,but.......
Have you noticed how often the start times listed from some of these websites can be off by as much as a month or more?
I guess these are great for a guideline or for someone starting out, but they can be off enough to hurt your planning.
I guess what I'm getting at is, look around at different charts and sites and try to take an average for what they say to use as a start date.
THEN, record your own data from your own experience and use that.
THEN, hope that mother nature does her part and gets HER dates right!
But most of all.....ENJOY the coming season!!!!
shebear
15 years ago
Easter moves around the calendar.......it is not a good thing to use as a planting guide. And remember average last frost date means it's an average. It's not set in stone so always cover your bets and have the frost proofing ready.

I am kinda confused by the second link. Zone 8 in the Pacific Northwest doesn't have the same last frost date as my zone 8.
sewobsessed
15 years ago
shebear,
A zone numbers only purpose is to signify the lowest average temperature for an area. They can differ drastically anywhere in the same zone.

The frost dates are a completely different animal - not only will each state have a different first and last frost date, but each county, city and your own yard. (and even smaller areas in your very own yard - micro-climate areas)

If you'd like to see how random it can actually be, try this chart: Pick your state and then your city.

Never trust a chart, though. Get the real low-down from someone who has a few years experience gardening in your area.
shebear
15 years ago
sewobsessed......I know that....I wondered why that site was suggested for seed starting. I guess sarcasm is hard to "hear" on the web.

And I wouldn't necessarily believe experienced gardeners either. Keep a journal.
sewobsessed
15 years ago
Well, sorry then.
I didn't realize that your confusion statement was meant as sarcasm.
Seriously, I don't get it...

When to Start Seeds, Need a refresher

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digdirt2

rjinga
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When to Start Seeds, Need a refresher

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rjingaOriginal Author

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rjinga
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