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As the days get longer, and spring fever sets in, I can’t wait to get my hands in the dirt! It’s still way too early to start gardening outside, but that doesn’t mean I can’t start seedlings! First, though, I pull out my computer and planner to create a planting calendar, so the vegetable seedlings will be the right size when it’s time to transplant them into the garden.
Making the time to write out a planting schedule helps set my garden up for success. I know when I need supplies, allow for seed germination times, and have seedlings ready to transplant after the last frost in our area. Plus, by planning ahead and starting seeds in phases I can re-use some of my seed starting trays!
Useful Tools For Writing A Vegetable Planting Schedule
If you are new to starting your own seedlings, knowing when to plant the seeds can seem overwhelming. Luckily, there are some great free tools available to help you get started! Here are a few of the factors I look at, and the tools I use when deciding on dates for my planting calendar.
Find Your Frost-Free Date
Finding the average last frost date for your area is the first step to creating a planting schedule. Even within the same growing zone, frost dates can be wildly different. Looking up dates for your zip code gives you a much better prediction of when your seedlings will be safe outdoors!
To find your frost dates, just look up “frost-free date by zip code.” Resources are abundant on the internet. I typically use the calendars by The Old Farmers Almanac. Their calendar system is easy to use and contains some great information. Keep in mind, frost dates are based on averages and can change from year to year. Watch your weather, and if you still notice frost in the mornings, don’t put your seedlings outside yet!
Once you know your average frost dates, you can begin planning your planting calendar!
Check the Planting Instructions On Your Seed Packets
When writing your planting calendar, decide if you want to start the seed indoors, or direct sow it in your garden. Use the average frost dates for your area and either write in your in-ground planting dates or count back the recommended number of weeks to determine when you should start the seeds.
Vegetable seed packets typically have planting instructions printed on them. The instructions may look different, depending on the vegetable. Some types are best started indoors, others work best if they are planted straight into the garden soil.
Seeding recommendations are based on how long germination takes, and how quickly the seedling grows. Peppers are some of the slowest to germinate and grow, so they are usually some of the first seeds I start. Other plants, like cabbage and broccoli germinate and grow quickly, so you won’t need to start them as many weeks before your target transplant date.
Check the Moon Phase
“Planting by the moon” is an ancient gardening and farming tradition. One my grandmother swears by. The idea is that different phases of the moon affect germination rates and how well your plants grow. Most of the evidence is anecdotal and based on tradition, but the moon calendar is readily available so it certainly doesn’t hurt to consider moon dates as you plan your planting calendar.
The planting calendar from The Old Farmer’s Almanac lists planting dates by both frost and moon dates so you can easily compare both timeframes. Their calendar is based on your zip code and includes planting dates for many types general types of vegetables.
After checking your seed packets, and looking up frost and moon dates, you have the information you need! Write the planting dates, or ranges, (life gets busy) on your calendar and have fun starting your seeds. Before you know it, it will be time to get your hands in the dirt again!
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