is it too early to start my starter plants?

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

My growing zone is zone 4b/5a (some sites say 4b, others say 5a). I live in northern Michigan, and my growing season is about 120 days in length. The main growing season starts at end of May and typically lasts till late September (this is for warm weather crops).

I am wondering should I be doing my starter plants now or is it too early? I realize it depends on what you're growing, and how long they take. Specifically I am referring to stuff that takes 6-8 weeks to start (some tomato varieties, eggplant, bell peppers) or should I wait a little longer? These would be grown indoors and for the cold weather stuff (cabbage, cauliflower, maybe beets, spinach, broccoli) in an unheated greenhouse.

Warm weather stuff is typically planted out at end of May/first week of June for my growing season.

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Advance Greenhouses

5 years ago

Hi Amy, I think you would be fine to start them now. You may be just slightly ahead of the curve, but the worst that will happen is that you might have to pot up the seedlings one more time. If you plant outside the end of May, the end of March would be perfect for planting. Here is some information on seed starting. Tammy

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Comments (7)

spartanapples
5 years ago
Amy:

I am in southern Wisconsin and typically would be able to plant out tomato plants in the garden around May 20th. Sowing dates:

Onions............March 1st

Leeks...............March 15th

peppers...........March 20th

tomatoes...........April 11th

cole crops.........April 5th? I have not started cabbage or broccoli in years

but recall starting around early April and planting in my garden

May 10th-15th.

We had a cabin in central Wisconsin for years and did not plant out eggplant or peppers

until early June due to the cold nights. I still have family in that area who live there year round and garden each year.

You mention you are in northern Michigan. Are you in the UP? If not, then I think my timetable would work for you. Go a week later if you live in the UP.
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Well, I am quite thrilled to read these great responses! I live in Zone 7, but our Winter is still long. The zones just refer to the extremes in temperature, not how long it lasts. I have noticed volunteer tomatoes come out earlier than I would choose to plant out. So, I can watch for that as a sign. I do not have any trouble with legginess of my tomato seedlings. I have a picture window that faces full-South, and shelves there (for seedling starting in Winter) outfitted with shop-lights. I read somewhere that it is important to use fresh bulbs (fluorescent tubes) as the light diminishes over time. I do not get new ones every year, but if one seems to put out less (judging by the plants), I use that on my alpine strawberry seedlings or something else that doesn't mind. I want to start even earlier because I'd like to keep tomato strains true when I grow them out. I plan to grow out severl this year, and if one flowers first for a week, then they are in the clear, and I can mark those fruits, and then not really worry about the rest. I guess what I mean is that an early & staggered start will allow me to focus on each plant as it comes into bloom, selecting from that, and moving on to the next one. I do have some limitations (medically), so it would be easier to focus on them staggered rather then so many at one time. It may not work out the way I hope, but I figure it is a good experiment for this year. By choosing good varieties for this (my un-familiarity with varieties hurts my experiment here) I can better insure success. The funny thing is that I don't really eat tomatoes--except in spaghetti sauce. BUT, everyone else loves them, and I find there is a group involved with tomatoes that have a zeal for the plant like no other vegetable/fruit. A great deal of home-breeding is going on, and I find it the most fascinating thing. Tomatoes provide a great opportunity to study genetics at home, and to look very intensely at varietal development in plants. I guess I am hooked for a reason not common to most, but I am hooked. So, I will try my experiment this year, and see how it works for me. I am thankful at the varieties/categories I see mentioned. When mentioning "use determinate or dwarf" plants, how can I find out which is which? I have consulted some websites, but is there a thorough tomato base out there? Keep the posts coming! Happy Holidays, Robin
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party_music50
5 years ago
I'm in z5 with a last frost date of June 1 and I usually plant out around Memorial Day if the weather forecast looks good. Eggplant always takes a while to germinate for me so I start that now. I wait until early-mid April to sow my peppers and tomatoes.
Matt z5b - Greenhouse 10a
5 years ago
It really depends how much direct sun light you have...or grow light. Now would be ideal if you want a good size plant by May.

Cold weather stuff- In an unheated GH if the nights are a few degrees above freezing you'll be good to plant.
ellenr22 - NJ - Zone 6b/7a
5 years ago
" In an unheated GH if the nights are a few degrees above freezing you'll be good to plant. " I have an unheated greenhouse, and have to go away overnight. Am wondering if temps dip below freezing for, say, 4 hours, and are in the 40's-50's during day, if I can risk it? I'm thinking enough heat will be retained....
Matt z5b - Greenhouse 10a
5 years ago
You can take the chance otherwise just re plant some of the seeds if you're worried. The ground might/might not freeze. I don't have to worry about much below 5C over winter.
PoohBearLvr
5 years ago
Amy. I dont see a way to message you privately. And I have to be pushy I guess, in here to get the word out:) Ever think of getting an AeroGrow LED light garden to start your veggies? OR grow them inside all year, winter to???

I have a BIG 'Farm Plus' unit for sale, brand new, not out of the box yet! With 3 full veggie seed kits, and a trellis for taller veggies. I got it as a gift, I just dont have the room for it. I am selling it for $3-400 LESS than AeroGrow sells it for. And it is BRAND NEW,with all my extras I got. IF you or anyone on here wants one or has interest, or questions, let me know. I wont make this a full sales pitch, so that I don't tick you, or anyone off. BUT it would do what you need to do, and more. So...any interest?? Or anyone else have any interest?? Just let me know.

I NEED to sell it to someone ASAP. So a gardener is perfect. I love my small ones, I have 5. But this is just to big. Its only me, not a family here to grow a small 'farm' of veggies. Or have a big light garden for your house plants, etc....I need to fix my car, to get to work, so this would help that. You or anyone???

is it too early to start my starter plants?

Advance Greenhouses

Comments (7)

spartanapples

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