Cool Weather Plants

These plants prefer cooler temperatures and can be planted a few weeks before the last frost date in your area. Some can be seeded directly into the garden, while others should be started inside, under lights. If the crop matures quickly, before the heat of July and August, it can be seeded directly. If it requires a longer growing season, it should be started indoors and then transplanted outdoors. Check your seed packages and catalogues for this information or check the lists below.

Warm Weather Plants

Set out warm weather plants just after the last frost date. Most, but not all, should be started indoors ahead of time to insure warm enough temperatures at blossom and fruit set time. Check your seed packages for this information or check lists below.

Hot Weather Plants

These plants cannot tolerate frost or cool soil. They should all be started indoors as much as 8-12 weeks before setting out. They shouldn’t be transplanted until at least 3 weeks after the last frost date and may benefit from protective covers and pre-warmed soil (plastic laid over the prepared bed two weeks prior to transplanting).

Source: How Does Our Garden Grow? A Guide to Community Gardening Success

Adapted from: Marjorie B. Hunt & Brenda Bortz, High-Yield Gardening. (Emmaus, Pa.: Rodale Press, 1986)