Starting seeds does not have to be complicated. Most seeds just need a head start indoors, especially if you live in northern areas with cold winters.

This list is for anyone who lives in zones 4-6, since these zones generally grow on a similar timeline, only being a week or two off from each other.

Here I go into a general guideline on when to start vegetable, herbs, and flower seeds indoors, so you can get the most out of your garden and the money you spent.

Let’s Dive in…

1. Finding your growing zone
2. 10-12 weeks (Mid-March)
3. 8-10 weeks (End of March)
4. 6-8 weeks (Mid April)
5. 4-6 weeks (End of April)
6. 2-4 weeks (Mid May)
7. What to Direct Sow (End of May)
8. Succession Starting Tips
9. That’s It!
10. Visit The Cottage Vegetable Shop

Finding your growing zone

You can find your growing zone here (USA).

Please note that the USDA plant hardiness map has been updated in 2023, so be sure to double check your area for changes!

Starting seeds indoors revolves around the last spring frost date and your growing zone will have an estimated last spring frost date listed.

Zones 4-6 generally have moderate summers with cold winters; last spring frost dates are usually in the month of May, with the first autumn frost dates being in October.

We are lucky to have this climate, since so much can be grown here!

However, count your weeks according to the date given for your specific area.

Exact Dates will vary year to year.

Please note, I wrote this list according to zone 6, since that’s where I live and majority of the United States gardens under.

10-12 weeks (Mid-March)

Perennial Herbs: Lavender, Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, Lemon Balm, Feverfew, etc.

Perennial Flowers: Coneflowers, Blacked Eyed Susans, Daisies, etc

Peppers

Onions

Celery

8-10 weeks (End of March)

Bi-annual flowers: Hollyhocks, Foxgloves, etc

Tomatoes

Eggplants

Cabbage

Broccoli/Cauliflower

6-8 weeks (Mid April)

Annual Flowers: Zinnia, Sunflowers, Marigold, Cosmos, etc

Kale

Swiss chard

4-6 weeks (End of April)

Pumpkins

Summer or Winter Squashes

Melons

2-4 weeks (Mid May)

Plant outside:

Potatoes

Peas

Cilantro

Parsley

Turnips

Radish

Spinach

Arugula

Start Indoors:

Annual herbs

Cucumbers

Lettuces

What to Direct Sow (End of May)

Corn

Beans

Carrots

Beets

Rutabagas

Succession Starting Tips

Some vegetables have a very short lifespan, like lettuces, radishes, peas, spinach, even some annual herbs like cilantro.

There is a trick to succession planting that can help make these short-lived vegetables last longer in the garden: it is to simply plant new ones every two weeks.

Succession planting is a doable for anyone but if you really want to have these vegetables in your garden for longer than a few weeks, than setting yourself up for succession planting will help.

Think about these things:

• Set aside seed starting trays so you can continually restart fresh batches every two weeks
• Make sure to keep room in the garden for the newcoming seedlings; most of these vegetables like cool areas so a dappled shaded spot may help extend their life
• Make sure you buy plenty of seeds early in the season, before they become sold out for the year
• Make sure you harvest your vegetables in a timely manner to get the most out of them

That’s It!

Don’t get too caught up on if you are late or not because it’s never too late to plant a garden.

Enjoy!

The Cottage Vegetable

Gardening & Preserving for a Practical Kitchen

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