Now that the weather is warming up, it’s time to consider your garden and plant some seeds! Starting now can help kick-start your gardening plan and set it in motion!
Many websites provide seed starting calendars based on hardiness zones; they may not reflect what’s happening in your region exactly.
Spring
Seed sowing in the spring is essential to getting your garden off to an effective start. Determining when and how best to plant depends on what types of plants you want to grow as well as frost dates in your zone.
Cool weather vegetables such as spinach, kale and lettuce should be planted 8-12 weeks in advance of your desired planting date; while peppers and tomatoes should be started 2-3 weeks beforehand. Melons and cucumber seeds should be planted four weeks ahead.
Once you know when and how often to plant seeds indoors, creating a custom planting schedule for your particular garden becomes easy. This makes sure the plants you want to grow get into the ground at just the right moment.
In February and March, you can start sowing cool season flowers such as calendula (Calendula officinalis), bachelor button (Cenia turbinata), wallflowers (Erysimum spp.), cosmos spp.), dianthus (Dianthus spp.), nicotiana (Nicotiana spp.) and Zinnias (Zinnias).
Produce that you want to harvest over an extended harvest can be planted between April and May, including beans, corn, squash, summer carrots and melons. Sow these outdoors in May.
Tomatoes, peppers and eggplant are among the first springtime vegetables to be planted indoors; then after any risk of frost has passed they can be transplanted outdoors after they have sprouted. Sow seeds for these early bloomers in February before transplanting outdoors after frost danger has subsided.
Cabbage is another fast-growing vegetable to add to your garden, easily outstripping its other counterparts in size and maturity length. When planting, select an ideal variety to match the environment (size and maturity length), fertilize regularly, and water as the head develops. Carrots too make for an easy addition – start planting between early May and mid May to harvest this summer harvest season!
Prior to planting seeds, it’s wise to incorporate organic matter such as compost into the soil. This will allow faster germination rates while providing crucial nutrients needed by seeds to thrive and thrive – as well as improving the overall soil quality allowing you to continue cultivating your garden well into autumn.
Summer
If you want to plant vegetables, the ideal time is in summer when temperatures are at their hottest and the sun shines longest. Furthermore, this season provides ample opportunity for gardening as well as outdoor activities such as swimming, water sports and picnicking.
Gardening is a great way to spend quality time outside with family and friends while learning more about various species of plants that thrive in various climates. This summer season is also an excellent opportunity for some gardening beginners.
When it comes to planting seeds, soil preparation is of utmost importance. Your garden soil should be evenly moist but not soggy for optimal germination of seedlings.
An ideal soil can support healthy plants and allow them to flourish quickly before the temperatures change in autumn. You can prepare your soil by adding compost or manure as part of an overall strategy for seed germination.
As soon as possible, begin thinking about which vegetables you wish to cultivate in your garden and make plans accordingly. This will give you enough time to organize and prepare it before the hot weather sets in.
Plant your seeds first thing in the morning for optimal success and to allow ample sunlight exposure from day one, increasing their chances of survival and creating strong roots.
Now is also an ideal time to direct sow some hardy salad varieties, like spinach and kale, into the soil without using seed trays, giving you access to these nutritious greens throughout the year.
Once you’ve decided which vegetable seeds to sow, consult the growing calendars for your region to find out when is best time for planting them. Some seeds perform best when planted during spring while other species thrive better when planted during the hotter summer months.
Knowing your first and last frost dates depends on the length of your growing season and type of variety being grown.
Fall
Fall is one of the best times to plant seeds in your garden as its cooler temperatures will allow vegetables to continue producing harvestable harvests all through winter and early spring.
Most vegetables thrive with less watering during the fall months, saving both time and money in the spring. A general guideline would be to give seedlings one deep watering per week instead of several shallow ones.
Planning is key when selecting plants suitable to your climate. Consider perennials or annual flowers which self-sow, are cold-resistant or can tolerate cold stratification when selecting seeds to purchase. Check seed packets for details regarding these options before purchasing accordingly.
Spinach, beets, mustard greens, turnips, radishes and kale are among the many delicious vegetables suitable for fall planting, so why not make this autumn the year to harvest your delicious produce from seeds every seven to ten days? That way you will always have tasty fresh produce available on your table!
Sowing other vegetables such as Tatsoi, Mizuna, Broccoli and Asian Greens such as Bok Choy or Bok Nao can also give you an abundance of fresh, crisp produce throughout fall and winter. With these fast-growing options you will ensure an ample supply of crisp fresh produce!
Start off your gardening season on the right foot by pre-sowing perennials and woody herbs such as Echinacea, black-eyed Susans, Lupines, Wild Columbines, Cosmos or Calendulas that thrive when seeded in fall.
Plant seeds in your garden six to eight weeks before the expected date of frost in your region, though you may need to sow some earlier or later depending on soil and weather conditions in your region. Or use small containers outside as “mini greenhouses” which will protect seeds through winter weather conditions.
Fall is also an excellent time for sowing flowers and herbs in containers, including perennial and biennial species like Echinacea, Black-eyed Susans and Lupines which benefit greatly from being seeded now – some varieties even self-sow their seeds annually!
Winter
Seed lovers will find winter months an ideal opportunity for sowing new seeds in their gardens. Winter sowing provides many advantages, whether growing flowers, vegetables, herbs or any combination thereof.
Winter is an excellent time for sowing seeds due to nature’s protective cover for seeds – such as leaves and debris covering plants containing them – offering some shelter against frostbite, and keeping their precious cargo safe from being exposed to cold temperatures.
Winter sowing offers several advantages that make the process even more rewarding, including being able to experiment with various seeds until finding ones that work for you. Most seed catalogues will provide details about germination requirements for different varieties; these details will tell you whether your seeds require cold stratification and/or vernalization for successful germination.
Some seeds are resistant to freezing temperatures, while softer varieties, like flower seeds, require exposure to cold temperatures before being planted in winter sowings.
Sowing seeds during the wintertime offers several distinct advantages, including cool soil temperatures that promote optimal germination rates. You can start your seeds indoors before sowing outdoors; or plant directly into your garden bed (in situ) prior to the last frost date in your zone.
Preparing your planting bed during fall and early winter can give you a headstart on sowing seeds in spring. Make sure all debris has been cleared away, before amending the soil with well-rotted compost or manure before sowing seeds.
Chard, broccoli and cauliflower seeds can be planted directly into the ground during winter to allow roots to establish themselves and sprout up successfully. At least 4 inches should be covered with shallow potting mix so as to provide ample room for development of roots and growth.