Can I Start My Seeds Yet?
As winter wears on and the end is nearly in sight, gardeners grow eager to get their hands dirty and start sowing seeds indoors to get a head start on spring. But starting seeds too early can be just as bad as starting them too late, and some seeds do much better when sown directly into the ground in spring.
Here is a quick guide for when to start some of the most popular seeds based on our average last frost date in Washington County, Minnesota.
When to Start Vegetable Seeds
| Plant | Weeks Before Planting Date | Month | Plant Outside | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peppers | 8 | Late March | Mid May | Plant outside when overnight lows are 50 or higher |
| Tomatoes | 6 | Early April | Mid May | Plant outside when overnight lows are 50 or higher |
| Broccoli / Cauliflower | 4 | Early April | Early May | Can tolerate light frost. Do not use a heat mat. |
| Lettuce | 4 | Early April | Early May | Direct seed leaf lettuce; can tolerate light frost. Do not use a heat mat. |
| Radishes | 0 | Direct Seed | Early April | Can plant as late as end of August |
| Carrots | 0 | Direct Seed | Mid April | Can take up to 3 weeks to germinate; must be kept moist |
| Spinach | 0 | Direct Seed | Mid April | |
| Peas | 0 | Direct Seed | Mid April | Plant as soon as the soil can be worked |
| Corn | 0 | Direct Seed | Early to Mid May | |
| Zucchini | 0 | Direct Seed | Mid May | |
| Cucumber | 0 | Direct Seed | Mid May | |
| Pumpkins | 0 | Direct Seed | Mid May | |
| Beans | 0 | Direct Seed | Late May | Can plant as late as end of August |
When to Start Herb Seeds
Most culinary herbs can be started from seed 6-8 weeks before planting outside, except for thyme and oregano, which need a bit more time. Some herbs are more easily started by direct seeding.
| Plant | Weeks Before Planting Date | Month | Plant Outside | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thyme | 8-10 | Early March | Mid May | Surface sow; requires light to germinate |
| Oregano | 8-10 | Early March | Mid May | Surface sow; requires light to germinate |
| Basil | 6 – 8 | Late March | Mid May | |
| Parsley | 6 – 8 | Late March | Mid May | Can take 3+ weeks to germinate |
| Chives | 6 – 8 | Late March | Mid May | Can direct seed as well |
| Mint | 6 -8 | Late March | Mid May | |
| Dill | 0 | Direct Seed | Early May | |
| Cilantro | 0 | Direct Seed | Mid May |
Flowers
Many flowers grow easily when direct sown, but a lot of favorite flowers are significantly more difficult to start from seed than common veggies (which have been bred to germinate quickly and consistently). Here are some of the most popular flowers to start from seed:
| Plant | Weeks Before Planting Date | Month | Plant Outside | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petunias | 12 | Late February | Mid May | Can be challenging for new gardeners. Surface sow; requires light to germinate |
| Marigolds | 10 | Early March | Mid May | |
| Snapdragons | 10 | Early March | Mid May | Surface sow; requires light to germinate |
| Violas / Pansies | 8 | Mid March | Mid May | Surface sow; requires light to germinate. Do not use heat mat. |
| Cosmos | 6 -8 | Late March | Mid May | |
| Black-Eyed Susan (rudbeckia) | 6 – 8 | Late March | Mid May | One of the few perennials that blooms its first year |
| Sweet Alyssum | 5 | Early April | Mid May | |
| Sunflowers | 0 | Direct Seed | Early May | Can start in 4″ pot in late April to plant Mid May and get earlier blooms |
| Nasturtium | 0 | Direct Seed | Early May | |
| Zinnias | 0 | Direct Seed | Early May |