When to Start Seeds (Indoors & Out)

Knowing when to start seeds both indoors and outdoors can be confusing. Some seeds are started weeks before planting in spring, some are sown directly in a summer garden, and some are delayed for a fall garden. Gardener Scott discusses when to start seeds at different times of the growing season and demonstrates how he tracks which seeds to start and when. (Video #334)
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[@juliaryan1410]

Your planning calendar idea has brought such a sense of accomplishment (and a bit of relief) at this time of the gardening season, thanks for sharing it! I really like thinking through the timing of sowing beds and starting seeds just ONCE like this and then marking out a plan. Once that's done, then referring to the marked up calendar every week to see what's next on the to-do list. I used to spend time every week going back into my garden journal ferreting out planting dates from previous years to see if I was ahead of schedule or behind, and checking that against the seed packets.. Now, with the planning calendar, I have all that information gathered at one time and marked out. One extra little helpful thing I did was to put a circled number on the first day of each week on the left side of the calendar, counting backwards 10 weeks from the last frost date. That way I didn't have to count backwards for every seed packet. The sense of relief I mentioned earlier came from now knowing all my seeds have been reviewed and are earmarked for planting. I used to miss a seed packet or two (even though they are all stored in the same place) and then it would be too late to plant for that season. I've been using your planning calender idea the past two months and it's turning out to be a GREAT tool. I can see what's coming up, check-mark what's been done, and make notes to transfer into the garden book. Thanks again for sharing this idea. Your videos are my go-to learning platform for gardening in this part of the world. We garden in Woodland Park, CO at 8565' elevation.

[@jolenedial618]

Boy howdy! can this get overwhelming. This is my 1st year doing things this way. I bought a calendar JUST FOR sowing, planting, and harvesting. I did it in pencil, thankfully. I’ve discovered several errors and even erased and began all over again due to frustration. Sitting in the living room while hubs watches TV likely doesn’t help. Where I purchase seeds from, doesn’t have instructions on the packets. Rookie mistake, should purchase otherwise until I have good experience under my belt. Thank you for all you teach! It must get tedious and monotonous for you, but, we newbies GREATLY appreciated you!🤩

[@garynorcal4269]

I particularly enjoyed the comment about transferring information into the new calendar the following year. That saves a lot of time.

[@benread4545]

Absolutely amazing, I am watching from Manchester, England. I am 29 year old male and looking to start gardening to fight the potential inflation / stagflation around the corner and become more self-sufficient, a great channel and thanks for all the insights!

[@waynesell3681]

We are in the same zone 5b here in Michigan. Surely very different weather and climate. Appreciate the process of developing a calendar. Great to keep down with the "mental gymnastics" thanks!

[@GrandmasFoodGarden]

You mentioned cucumbers and squash grow quick so don't need to start indoors. I like to start curcubits as early as possible because hot weather brings too much pest pressure from squash bugs, squash vine borers, & for anything that they don't decimate, cucumber worms.

[@vicwickgardens9174]

I like to start cucumbers indoors because I have a short growing season and I don’t like to wait. I get cucumbers indoors before I bring them outside 😀

[@johnjude2685]

Linda I'm going to try indoor for your reasons

[@FrozEnbyWolf150]

My zucchini and delicata got hit hard by squash vine borers last year. I've heard that Bacillus thuringiensis is a good organic means of dealing with them, as it will kill the pests without harming your pollinators. I'm not sure how best to apply it to the plants though, as some people will spray it while others will inject it. I'm also planning to grow curcubits that are resistant to borers, such as crookneck summer squash, and any Cucurbita moschata. I had a ton of success with Tahitian butternut last year, as it grew all over the place and produced dozens of gourds.

[@melissasullivan1658]

@@FrozEnbyWolf150 hi there, I believe Scott Head has literally injected it into the base of the plant (I think it was Scott?), but has decided it’s just easier to plan ahead and succession sow like the dickens. He gets one harvest per plant and immediately cuts it back and plants the next crop. He gets vine borers pretty bad so I’d check out his channel if you haven’t. :)

[@steph6337]

Have you tried planting a bunch of herbs around your cucumbers? It really helped me here in central Florida!

[@cassmakesstuff]

Regarding specifying starting plants indoors or outdoors: I've been writing 'start' for indoor, and 'sow' for outdoor

[@GardenerScott]

I like that idea. Thanks for sharing.

[@simplifygardening]

Great video Scott. After reading some of the comments I think it's important for folks to realize that planting time are dependent on location and microclimates but awesome info pal

[@melissasullivan1658]

Definitely. For instance, I looked at the thermometer on my deck at 6am today and it said it was already 48F degrees but the weather apps said 39. Having a concrete patio keeps everything on my balcony nice and toasty so I start my tomatoes in late Dec. I’m in 9b but even local farmers would wait as it would appear way too early. Microclimates can be a beast to work out!

[@Stynkyvision]

He has it worse in some ways than most too. The climate can swing wildly in this area. I never had to deal with this when I was growing on a coastline and it's like learning to garden all over again - I'm 33 and I've been gardening since I was 4. I can fix bad soil. I can rearrange irrigation tubing. I can't fix June hailstorms. He has great advice for working around a Colorado climate particularly and it's incredibly helpful.

[@krickette5569]

I've always read my packets but until today, never wrote the info on a calendar. It Really helped me get organized and made me realize that I only have a week until it will be past the recommended date for starting some of my seeds indoors! Yikes! I need to get Busy!

[@hilow8331]

if you grow tomatoes especially for sauces/salsa/canning give opalka a try.... huge paste heirloom better than roma or amish paste imo! :P

[@krickette5569]

@@hilow8331 Thanks!

[@eliandkate]

Nice video. Extra nice to watch you plan when you have the same average frost date as we do :D

[@bkerr1]

Thanks for the reminder, Scott! Got my calendar out and know I need to get my onions seeds going.!

[@frankbarnwell____]

I'm going with 3 packets of green pea seeds, one this week, the others next 2 weeks. Near Houston TX...

[@brock5925]

I’m zone 7a, starting my onion seeds next week!

[@jwstanley2645]

Thank you for sharing so much helpful information and practical advice.

[@shaneella8965]

OMG This is the exact video I needed. I never can start at the right time. I found a calendar and now I will calculate all my seeds. I have been growing for 10 years now and 4 years with a giant hoop house. I will add two weeks for the beginning of the season and two weeks for the end of the season inside the hoop house. Thankyou for a great Video

[@lastchancemonicam3948]

Thank you for the video. I've decided to return to gardening by the moon. I did that as a child, and I've found I get more memories of my childhood returning to me when I do it. I'm all ready direct sowing my Kohlrabi, beets, onions, kale, rainbow chard, and rats tail radishes. In two or three weeks, I can start pumpkins. You may laugh at gardening by the moon, but I maintain there's evidence behind it.

[@everybodyluvsmonkeys]

I've been doing this on my phone. But now I'm thinking to buy a calendar just for gardening so I can look ahead easier and not get mixed up with kids/school activities.

[@Cristoliverta]

I really enjoy your videos. I learn so much from you. Thank you for showing us how to really understand when to start planting. I was always confused of when and how to plan accordingly.

[@scheralgreider5406]

I winter sow my tomato seeds. I will be planting the seeds this coming week and putting the milk jugs outdoors. I'm in zone 6a.

[@ItsJustGardening]

Thank you for the tips, I have been missing the windows as a new gardener.

[@nataliebethune5397]

This was so helpful and encouraging! TY!

[@joeseatat]

So so helpful! I keep forgetting that there are lots of plants that need to be started before the 6 week mark. Heck, sometimes I forget that 6 week mark too! I'm always antsy for gardening during the late winter, and this will be a way of getting a little taste of gardening before I'm able to get my hands dirty.

[@FrozEnbyWolf150]

I tend to use various methods of accelerating seed germination, so the timing on starting them is going to be different for me. For all seeds, starting them in a warm place is obviously ideal. For tiny seeds like herbs and tobacco, I sprinkle them on the soil and cover them with wet tissue paper, which has led to germination within 3-6 days. For Asian squash like angled luffa and bittermelon, I carefully scarify the hard shell so that water can get inside, which can lead to 1-2 day germination. For all squash, I put them in wet paper towels on trays in a warm place (a la the viability test) like over the pilot light. For tomatoes and peppers, that same method can work, though if you're sowing them in starting mix, only cover them with soil equal to the seed diameter, which means just barely.

[@TJtheHAWK]

Great Video Scott. However my experience with cilantro is that it is pretty cold hardy. I plant mine in April in New Hampshire and the fall cilantro lasts until temperatures dip into the teens in December.

[@dwaynewladyka577]

Great points here. In Alberta, we can have very fluctuating weather. The last frost date can be subjective. Cheers, Scott! ✌️

[@michaelmarchione3408]

This season our Last Frost Date is May 25th and our First Frost Date is September 16th. That is with a 30% Probability that includes a possible 113 day growing season. It is custom here to plant Memorial Weekend and harvest Labor Day Weekend. Sometimes here in NNY Zone 4a we have to wait a week after Memorial Day and might get a week longer after Labor Day. You are right about planning. Twenty minutes from here to my parents, they don't have to worry about it. They are closer to the St. Lawrence valley and we are in the foothills of the Adirondack Park. It is that micro-climate difference. I'm still going to winter sow again some of the excess seeds because I did have a 50% success rate. I think I know what works here. I like experimenting. Enjoyed as always. Take care!

[@afiabegum5838]

Very nice video plants we are learning from you lots did things plants

[@bridgetbean79]

Very helpful! Encouraging for me, too, as this is my first year with seeds (and raised beds) and you e confirmed the sort of process I was using for planning. Now let’s hope I get some nice production LOL

[@hilow8331]

growing peppers!? raised beds are the way to go!!

[@nocturnaldaisy6181]

Great video! Well organized and extremely informative. Thank you.

[@gwendyrose8905]

Thanks for this reminder. Our house caught COVID (or it caught us.....not sure which) at the beginning of the year. I'm still trying to get my energy levels back to normal, but I still need to clean up my seed starting area from last year! This helped to give me motivation to get things moving so that I don't end up chasing my tail once again this year. ;) ;) I still have clean up to do to my beds as well, but, based on weather trends, that may have to wait until March. :( But, February is DEFINITELY my biggest seed starting month for certain! :) Going to have to get on my 'puter tomorrow and start putting together my "to-do" list. Excellent timing as always. :)

[@brianseybert2189]

First year planning my seed starting dates using a calendar. I just numbered the weeks backward from my last frost date to when I started planting in January. I like starting onions early so I have nice size plants to stick in the ground in March. It will be very useful to have in the future to gauge what may have been seeded to early or too late. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@riana2402]

you are very good teacher, thank you!

[@7bpotager8]

Thank you so much!! This was extremely helpful. I am starting my second gardening season and you just made it so much more understandable :)

[@ralphditchburn1456]

Exactly what I need right now. Thank you

[@K-Zone]

I think all of us gardeners would love the South (southern California, Texas, etc.) (Just not the heat or hurricanes, lol) So we can grow almost all year round. And even citrus. Sigh. I wish there was a place that was 65-75 year round. 🧐😂

[@UniquelySelo]

This was super helpful! Thank you so much!

[@LLAMA-LLAMA]

Thank you for the great advice! I’m starting right now. I’ll be putting a note to remind myself it’s the earliest possible harvest date.

[@vintagelife5195]

Hi Gardener Scott! Ive been binge watching your channel. Great info to help me get ready for my 1930s living history museum house. Thanks for everything you do.

[@anniegaddis5240]

Just shared this again on MeWe!

[@michaelsmielecki6628]

Your state Cooperative Extension also should have guides on when to start seeds for each zone in the state. VA has some really good info that I use for my seed starting.

[@yvencia1150]

Thank you for sharing 😀

[@martynamastalerczyk2342]

Thank you so much for this. I often don’t get to harvest crops because I start them too late. Your channel and wisdom makes me a better gardener each year ❤️

[@TD-vb6il]

First year gardening (outside of planting and tending to landscaping). My first little raised bed ambitions are greatly assisted by this video. Thank you!!

[@heidiclark6612]

Thank You for this great information! I have been gardening for many years but I am in a two zone lower growing zone now. I am learning starting dates all over again. I am trying new vegetables that have suggested planting out dates a few weeks before the last frost date For some reason this is really confusing me. I am figuring and re-figuring. At some point I hope I get it right.

[@carolholt416]

Thank you Scott. I'm a newbie so it is great learning from your videos!

[@andreamanning9890]

This is super helpful to me, a beginner gardener. Thanks

[@anniegaddis5240]

Saving this, and sharing it on MeWe.

[@nicolechew1029]

What an informative video! Going to include my fall seeds on my calendar this year. I always forget about them and scramble in late summer 🤣 Thank you!

[@jtharp9265]

Very great informative content , Starting many of our own plants today , 1st time and im 55 & hubby 58 - The prices of plants are crazy $8.98-$9.98 for 1 plant - so we finally invested in it all, plus after buying the big catalog from rareseeds & seeing the veggies , fruits We have missed out on all these years , . So excited to start my seeds , thank u for the calendar idea 💡 . Mrs Josette Tharp Montgomery County , Texas 🙏🏻

[@johnjude2685]

Thanks about the calendar tip.as advise I mark my calendar last season as you advise and I've done the same this season, Not started yet but I plan onions

[@suffolkshepherd]

Very helpful. Thanks. I was just about to throw away a calendar that came in the mail but now I have all my seed starting dates in it. Thanks again!

[@TheFarmerTv99]

Great 👍 video teacher

[@conniedavidson1807]

I have to get my calendar. I'm going to try this this year,

[@steph6337]

Thank you for this!

[@johnwhitton9977]

Good one

[@brianseybert2189]

Thanks!

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks, Brian!

[@TalkingThreadsMedia]

My area of west Olympia has the last frost date in spring of April 17, and the first frost date in fall of October 9. Your frost dates are very different from ours, so I’m delighted that you took the time to demonstrate the importance of LOCATION when starting seeds. Thank you, and Best wishes from Kate in Olympia, WA - 1/31/2022

[@crystalbuntemeyer2788]

THANKS! I love this video, such a simple but wonderfully easy too. I know what I an doing today!

[@sbodi4d]

When should I remove the humidity dome from my seedlings? I am new to this, and trying to learn all I can. I started tomato seeds and spinach seeds in the same tray not thinking about the germination times, and now my tomato seedlings are rubbing the top of the dome, but the spinach has just started germinating. Love your videos, and have learned more in a short time than I was expecting. Thanks.

[@GardenerScott]

Once the plants hit the dome it should be removed. The spinach should be okay. Thanks.

[@Stynkyvision]

We got the same photo containers and boxes for seed storage :D they're the perfect size for most commercial packets but I may have gotten that tip from you. Also I was wondering about thyme, my seed packets say to start without cold stratification at the same time as tomatoes. That doesn't work here for the deep mulched north facing beds they're going in to. Thanks for the tip and I'm popping them now.

[@GardenerScott]

I start my thyme indoors a few weeks before I start tomatoes so the plants are bigger when I put them put. They may not handle deep mulch well. You can possibly consider putting the plants in pots.

[@krisher7730]

great info!

[@ibelieveinpandas]

Thank you! Very helpful seeing you go through the process. Could you talk about when to plant in an unheated greenhouse? Having a hard time figuring out the timing on that

[@GardenerScott]

I'm planning a video on that in the future. Knowing how cold your greenhouse gets at night and knowing how warm the soil is are major factors.

[@ibelieveinpandas]

@@GardenerScott looking forward to that next video. I have a thermometer out there and watching how low it gets. Need to invest in a still thermometer. Thank you!

[@franksinatra1070]

I maintain a spreadsheet logging when I start things. If things did not work out, I make a comment in the spreadsheet and adjust the next year otherwise I continue to plant on the same date every year.

[@ilzitek2419]

I love Canada…

[@salwa4ever818]

Good morning, I have had problems getting my Korean zucchini seeds to germinate last summer, after watching a couple of your videos about soaking or scarifying the seeds, I am wondering if I could do that with these exotic seeds. I love your videos and am learning so much but am still a rookie when it comes to gardening. I would appreciate your guidance on this. Have a great day

[@GardenerScott]

I'm not sure about scarification but they should benefit from soaking.

[@brad4527]

Scott, what state do you live in? I will be able to really get a good start in my greenhouse. This is such a great refreshing video and like a lot of us have been planning our garden, it reminds me of pitcher and catchers report to spring training! Thank You, Brad. NJ

[@GardenerScott]

I'm in Colorado, Brad. Thanks!

[@brad4527]

@@GardenerScott Vail? My sis and her boyfriend have a house there

[@brad4527]

@@GardenerScottI can't wait for gardening out!!! I'm so done with winter

[@GardenerScott]

Close. Colorado Springs.

[@laurasharp7955]

Do you plant your seeds prior to the full moon phase

[@GardenerScott]

I don't focus on the moon. I monitor soil temperature and the weather to pick the best time.

[@DwarfComic]

Video assume seed packet says it simply when you should start indoor and transplant - mine doesn't!

[@love4fastpitch]

Hi Gardener Scott! I am having an issue getting my seedlings to grow indoors. I don’t have a greenhouse. I started a tray of seeds and put them in my south facing window a couple of weeks ago. But I believe that location is still too cold. I wanted to get your advice on grow lights please. Thank you for all you do!!

[@GardenerScott]

My grow lights aren't anything special, just average shop lights. They don't need to cost a lot to do the job.

[@AsintheDaysofNoah]

I’m in Southern California… we don’t get a frost. When should I start my leeks? I actually started some in the fall. But I’d love some spring ones.

[@SanDiegoCaliforniaUSA]

Fall and Winter. Long as our Fall doesn't have any Santa Ana heat. Winter crops go into our Spring. If it's in the shade, you might get a Spring time growing of cold weather crops.

[@bygraceonly182]

Love your name! Go Jesus go!

[@GardenerScott]

You have more flexibility in choosing when. Go ahead and try some spring ones to go with the fall ones.

[@borracho-joe7255]

Thanks for the motivation! I need to plan out the spring ASAP. Go RAMS! Big game tomorrow….Stafford is going to take care of business! 🐏 🐏 !

[@GardenerScott]

Hope they don't fade and threaten a heart attack like last week.

[@borracho-joe7255]

@@GardenerScott Ha! You and me both!

[@debbybrady1246]

Your gonna need a bigger calendar......

[@rosiepittelli1698]

Thank you! First year planting in South Florida. Got my calendar. But when I look up my last frost date it says I don’t have a frost date. When do you recommend I start my seeds? Thank you!

[@GardenerScott]

You have flexibility. Check with local nurseries and master gardeners to see what they recommend.

[@michelerichard5523]

If it says to sow seed 10 weeks prior to last frost date, would you not calculate the 10 weeks plus the time it takes for the seed to germinate?

[@GardenerScott]

The germination time is usually built into that time.

[@karlfimm]

Confused New Zealander here. How average/theoretical is that 'date of first frost'? My last 6 years of date of first frost has varied between 18 March and 20 May (8 weeks variation), though usually late April. Is North America just much more consistent? (Great video, by the way).

[@GardenerScott]

The date is based on historical climatological data and is updated about every 15 years by the government. The actual frost date may vary from year to year but the official date is an average of that data and what we use for planning. Thanks.

[@johndeere-yk6db]

I've been trying to start seeds indoors for years but it doesn't seem to differ on how bright the light or how close I have the light source my plants end up with lanky and week plants that take extremely long time to start growing when put in soil. What do you suggest to look at what I'm doing wrong.

[@bygraceonly182]

Great video Scott! Thank you. I am putting up a small greenhouse this weekend and currently have my rabbits filling up my beds with their garden golden nuggets 💩 in preparation for seed planting. Here in my area of TN last frost date is around April 15. If I wanted to plant directly into my raised beds (inside my new plastic green house) would I plant my seeds at the same time I would have normally started them indoors? I have two gardener friends that have shrugged and said “try it”. I was wondering if you might have more specific feedback... 😂 I don’t want to waste time or seeds. I don’t really want to fuss with starting seeds indoors this year. I want to start in the greenhouse but I am just not sure when to put things in.

[@TheCompactHomestead]

You'll have to monitor the soil temperatures in your beds and seed when they are warm enough. You wont be able to use warming matts.

[@bygraceonly182]

Michaelk Batts thanks! How warm should I aim for?

[@GardenerScott]

Yes, monitor the overnight temperatures in the greenhouse and the average soil temperature. Both should be about 70F degrees for best results. Some seeds can germinate with lower temperatures but most of the plants we start indoors need those warmer temps.

[@TheCompactHomestead]

@@bygraceonly182 I googled "best soil temperature to germinate onion seed" and got 75°F. For each type of seed you look up, you'll usually find a range, so I would aim for the middle of the range. If your greenhouse isn't heated you could cover the beds in the evening with row covers to help keep sprouts warm at night, and make sure you have plenty of ventilation for sunny days. A heating mat in the greenhouse would probably be helpful. Good luck!

[@paulellis8856]

Do you use the Farmers Almanac for your weather and dates?

[@GardenerScott]

They are one source I use, but their dates are a few days different than the National Weather Service.

[@apiecemaker1163]

Are you going to be growing indoors this year or growing everything in your new greenhouse? I’m trying to get my little greenhouse finished before planting time but not sure it’s going to happen.

[@GardenerScott]

My greenhouse is not heated so it won't be warm enough yet for most seed starting. I'll do some in there but most will be indoors.

[@apiecemaker1163]

@@GardenerScott same here. I’m eager to learn to use a greenhouse but mine has no electricity or water yet. Maybe one day. Thank you for responding and I will be looking for future tips and lessons.

[@lisabevans8107]

Ty i cheated some of the work with notes🙃

[@yvencia1150]

Thank you for sharing 😀

[@deannakwiatkowski9614]

Thanks!

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks, Deanna! I appreciate it!

[@deannakwiatkowski9614]

@@GardenerScott I very much appreciate your videos. I am not to new gardening but it sure feels like it. I pay for a garden planner and this is my second year with it and while I do like it I still haven't been able to finish 1 plan. Since I have found your videos I am able to see my gardening in a whole new light and not getting caught up on 100 different directions. So thank you