When to Start Bedding Plants?

General Timetable Instructions

Check with another local gardener or a garden center to find out the first predicted frost-free date in the spring. You can transplant most bedding plants outside once the danger of spring frosts has passed. Once you know the first frost-free date, you can count backward the number of weeks you should start the plant indoors prior to the first frost-free date. Most seed packets will have this information printed on them, but ask an employee at your local garden store if you are unsure about when to start a particular seed.

You need to start many vegetables indoors 2 to 3 months before the first spring frost-free date. Start onions, chives, celery, leeks and artichokes indoors in small pots or individual-celled planting flats, 12 to 14 weeks before the frost-free date. Start green onions, lettuce, eggplant and peppers 8 to 12 weeks prior to the frost-free date. Six to 8 weeks before the date, you can plant mustard spinach, cucumbers, tomatoes, Swiss chard and Oriental greens indoors. Start cucumbers, cauliflower, broccoli, kale and cabbage 4 to 6 weeks before the date when the danger of frost will have passed. Two to 4 weeks before the frost-free date, you can plant pumpkin, melon, squash and okra seeds.

Wait until the frost-free date to transplant most vegetables to your garden. Some vegetables are cold-hardy. You can place onions, chives, leeks, lettuce, mustard spinach and Oriental greens outside 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost, if you wish.

You can start flowers from seeds or pre-established seedlings indoors before moving them outside after the frost-free date. Start fuchsia in the late winter, 20 weeks before the last frost. Start pansies, coleus, poppies, impatiens and lobelia 12 to 14 weeks before. Snapdragons, petunias and alyssum need 8 to 12 weeks indoors before the last frost of the spring. Plant calendula, nemesia, ageratum and daisies 6 to 8 weeks before. Wait until 4 to 6 weeks prior to the frost-free date to start marigolds, zinnias, dahlias, sweet peas, bachelor buttons and other tender annuals.

Like vegetables, some flowers are cold-hardy. You can place pansies and calendula outside about a month before the last frost.

Start oregano, yarrow, mint and parsley plants 12 to 14 weeks before the frost-free date for your area. Eight to 12 weeks before, you can begin sowing chamomile, valerian, catnip, thyme and feverfew. Wait until 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost to plant dill, coriander, sage, basil, arugula and lemon balm. Keep herbs indoors until the danger of frost has passed completely.