Seed-Starting Schedule
Enter your average last frost date once and get indoor sow, harden-off, transplant, direct sow, and first-harvest dates for every crop you grow.
Turn on location and I'll tell you when your ground warms past 50°F, 60°F and 65°F — and holds there long enough to actually sow.
Not sure? Look it up on the Frost Dates page — it estimates yours from your ZIP code.
| Crop | Sow indoors | Harden off | Transplant | Direct sow | First harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
🫑 Sweet pepper Needs warm soil (65°F+) — wait 2 weeks past frost. | Feb 18, 2026 | Apr 19, 2026 | Apr 29, 2026 | — | Jul 13, 2026 |
🍅 Tomato Bury seedlings deep — they root along the stem. | Mar 4, 2026 | Apr 15, 2026 | Apr 22, 2026 | — | Jul 6, 2026 |
🥦 Broccoli Set out early — heat makes it bolt. | Mar 4, 2026 | Mar 18, 2026 | Mar 25, 2026 | — | May 29, 2026 |
🌿 Basil One cold night can blacken it — don't rush. | Mar 4, 2026 | Apr 22, 2026 | Apr 29, 2026 | Apr 29, 2026 | Jun 23, 2026 |
🌼 Marigold Classic pest-deterrent border. | Mar 11, 2026 | Apr 17, 2026 | Apr 22, 2026 | Apr 22, 2026 | Jun 16, 2026 |
🥬 Lettuce Sow small rounds every 2 weeks. | Mar 18, 2026 | Mar 21, 2026 | Mar 25, 2026 | Mar 25, 2026 | May 9, 2026 |
🥕 Carrot Never transplant — sow in place and keep soil damp. | — | — | — | Mar 25, 2026 | Jun 3, 2026 |
🥒 Cucumber Hates root disturbance — use soil blocks or pots. | Mar 25, 2026 | Apr 24, 2026 | Apr 29, 2026 | Apr 29, 2026 | Jun 23, 2026 |
🥒 Zucchini Two plants feed a family — really. | Mar 25, 2026 | Apr 17, 2026 | Apr 22, 2026 | Apr 22, 2026 | Jun 11, 2026 |
🫘 Bush bean Rots in cold soil — wait until it's warm. | — | — | — | Apr 22, 2026 | Jun 16, 2026 |
February 2026
- Feb 18🫑Sow indoors— Sweet pepper
March 2026
- Mar 4🍅Sow indoors— Tomato
- Mar 4🥦Sow indoors— Broccoli
- Mar 4🌿Sow indoors— Basil
- Mar 11🌼Sow indoors— Marigold
- Mar 18🥦Start hardening off— Broccoli
- Mar 18🥬Sow indoors— Lettuce
- Mar 21🥬Start hardening off— Lettuce
- Mar 25🥦Transplant outside— Broccoli
- Mar 25🥬Transplant outside— Lettuce
- Mar 25🥬Direct sow outside— Lettuce
- Mar 25🥕Direct sow outside— Carrot
- Mar 25🥒Sow indoors— Cucumber
- Mar 25🥒Sow indoors— Zucchini
April 2026
- Apr 15🍅Start hardening off— Tomato
- Apr 17🌼Start hardening off— Marigold
- Apr 17🥒Start hardening off— Zucchini
- Apr 19🫑Start hardening off— Sweet pepper
- Apr 22🍅Transplant outside— Tomato
- Apr 22🌿Start hardening off— Basil
- Apr 22🌼Transplant outside— Marigold
- Apr 22🌼Direct sow outside— Marigold
- Apr 22🥒Transplant outside— Zucchini
- Apr 22🥒Direct sow outside— Zucchini
- Apr 22🫘Direct sow outside— Bush bean
- Apr 24🥒Start hardening off— Cucumber
- Apr 29🫑Transplant outside— Sweet pepper
- Apr 29🌿Transplant outside— Basil
- Apr 29🌿Direct sow outside— Basil
- Apr 29🥒Transplant outside— Cucumber
- Apr 29🥒Direct sow outside— Cucumber
Sow indoors — start seeds under lights or in a sunny window this week.
Harden off — begin setting trays outside for a few hours a day, adding time each day so seedlings toughen up.
Transplant — plants go in the ground. Tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) wait until after your frost date; hardy crops (cabbage, onions, lettuce) can go out weeks earlier.
Direct sow — seeds go straight into the bed. Root crops and beans belong here.
First harvest — an estimate based on typical days-to-maturity from planting out.