Knowing when to start your vegetable seeds can make the difference between a fantastic harvest and a big flop.
Some plants prefer cooler weather, and others prefer warmer weather, so you will want to stagger your initial plantings based on the last frost date in your area.
Once you know when your last frost date is, you can plan accordingly and follow the seed package directions.
Most vegetable seeds can be directly sown into the garden in our Canadian climate. In general, here are a few rules of thumb:
- Heat loving veggies, and veggies with very long maturity dates (like tomatoes, squash, gourds and peppers) need lots of heat, which means starting in a greenhouse or indoors with grow lights.
- Root vegetables, beans and cucumbers do not like to have their roots disturbed and do better if you directly sow them outside.
Here is a guide on when to start your seeds, depending on whether you are starting them inside (optional and with lots of sunlight) or direct sowing outside:
Start Outside & Direct Sow:
Peas*: 6 - 8 weeks before last frost
Kale: 4 weeks before last frost
Lettuce: 3 - 4 weeks before last frost
Swiss Chard: 2 weeks before last frost
Turnip*: 2 weeks before last frost
Beets*: 2 weeks before last frost
Carrots*: 2 weeks before last frost
Pole Beans*: After last frost, 15+ degrees celsius
Bush Beans*: After last frost, 15+ degrees celsius
Cucumbers: 1 - 2 weeks after last frost
Zucchini: After last frost
*Starting these indoors is not recommended
Vegetables You Can Start Inside:
Celery: 10 - 12 weeks before last frost
Peppers: 8 - 12 weeks before last frost
Broccoli & Cauliflower: 6 - 8 weeks before last frost
Kale: 4 - 6 weeks before last frost
Lettuce: 4 - 6 weeks before last frost
Swiss Chard: 4 - 6 weeks before last frost
Cucumbers: 3 - 4 weeks before last frost
Squash: 3 - 4 weeks before last frost
Tomatoes: 6 - 10 weeks before last frost (varies by maturity date)