When to Plant
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getting my cat’s favorite catnip growing container ready for this season. (charlotte ekker wiggins photo)
When to Plant
If you’re like me, it’s hard to walk by those beckoning displays of seeds promising delicious produce and flowers. Frankly, I don’t. I actually look for those displays because I pick up some seeds every year that sell out early including catnip. Not only do my cats enjoy the greenery but my bees enjoy the nectar and pollen.
Buying the seeds is easy. When to plant them is where it gets tricky. Here’s a quick guide to help you determine what to plant when based on your last frost date. I’m in USDA Hardiness 6b so our last frost is May 10.
Cold-Season Crops (4–8 Weeks Before Last Frost)
These crops tolerate frost and even improve in flavor with cooler temperatures.
4–8 weeks before last frost: Spinach, onions (sets or seeds), leeks, garlic (if not planted in fall), and peas.
4–6 weeks before last frost: Kale, collards, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kohlrabi, and radishes.
2–4 weeks before last frost: Lettuce, beets, carrots, Swiss chard, potatoes, and turnips.
Warm-Season Crops (After Last Frost)
Once the soil warms up and frost danger has passed, I transition to warm-season crops.
At last frost date or 1–2 weeks after: Corn, beans, cucumbers, squash, and tomatoes (if protected).
2–4 weeks after last frost: Peppers, eggplant, melons, and okra.
4+ weeks after last frost (soil 70°F+ for best germination): Sweet potatoes and heat-loving crops like watermelon.
I also stagger plantings for succession harvesting, especially with leafy greens, root vegetables, and bush beans.
If you’re growing extensive crops, then Seedtime garden planner may be useful. This planning calendar helps plan what crops should be planted when in an easy to read and track system.
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