The biggest challenge a gardener faces when it comes to their vegetable garden is what should you plant and when should you plant it. You should start by being aware of your planting zone. If you don’t know what zone you are in, a quick Google search will help, or you can check out the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map online.
You should also find out when your last frost date hits. This is when your area has the last threat of frost. Typically here in St. Louis, Missouri, it’s somewhere around the middle of April. In the past, we’ve always used Mother’s Day as a safe date for when you can start planting outdoors, but in recent years (due to climate change), we’ve been able to plant more things earlier in April.
If you like to plan ahead and you are planting seeds indoors, the best time for planting seeds depends on what you intend to grow. Most vegetables can be started four to six weeks before your last frost date, and herbs can be started six to eight weeks before your last frost date. If you are checking your calendar and counting backwards, yep, that means you can start herbs in January and you can plant vegetable seeds in February. Also, check the back of those seed packs or do a quick Google search to learn how long it takes your seeds to germinate and how long it takes for them to reach maturity.
Now, what should you grow? If you have a true spring season that isn’t too hot, you can take advantage of cool weather crops like lettuce, cabbage, collard greens, brussel sprouts, peas, spinach, cauliflower, and broccoli. Herbs like basil, cilantro, and parsley are also great seeds to start in February. You can start seeds indoors in January, or you can sow some of these directly outdoors in February and March.
We started our seeds February 10th this year and today the plants are still indoors but are three to four inches tall. We are getting ready to move some of them outdoors in the weeks to come. The picture above is of a few of those plants that we started in February.
So to recap:
1. Know your planting zone.
2. Check your last frost date.
3. Decide if you want to start seeds indoors or plant directly outdoors.
4. Plan what seeds you want to plant.
5. Pay attention to germination and maturity times on seed packs.
6. Start Herbs in January.
7. Start vegetables in February and March.