Using Average Freeze Dates for Starting Vegetable Seeds

Average Last Spring 32°F. Freeze

The following seed starting schedule can be used to plan the approximate calendar date to sow seeds indoors and to transplant the young plants outdoors. Vegetables not listed are usually seeded directly outdoors.

The schedule starts by inserting into column #1 the average date for the last spring 32^o F. freeze.

Then add or subtract the number of weeks in column #2 (Weeks To Set Out). This gives you the approximate date to set or plant the transplants outdoors.

Insert this date in column #3 (Set Out Date).

Subtract from this date the number of weeks in column #4 (Weeks To Grow Indoors). This gives you the approximate date to sow the seeds indoors.

Insert this date into column #5 (Sow Indoor Date).

The number of weeks given in columns #2 and #4 can be adjusted if necessary based on your own experience.

The average date for the last spring 32^o F. freeze is not used as the safe date to set out tender vegetables.

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In this example the average last freeze date used is April 20. We have added 6 weeks to this date for our set out time (May 30). We want 6 week old transplants so we subtracted 6 weeks from May 30 and come up with the date of April 18 to start the tomato seeds indoors.

* Spring broccoli and cauliflower can be subject to bolting ("going to seed").

(A) Annual (B) Biennial (P) Perennial

Average First Autumn 32°F. Freeze

The following seed starting schedule can be used to plan the approximate calendar date to sow seeds directly into soil for a fall garden.

The schedule starts by inserting into column #1 the average date for the first autumn 32° F. freeze.

Then subtract the number of weeks in column #2 (Weeks Before Last Freeze to Seed). This gives you the approximate date to seed the listed vegetables directly outdoors in the garden.

The number of weeks listed in column #2 can be adjusted according to seed package instructions and your own experiences.

In this example we are using the average first freeze of October 20. We subtract 4 weeks from this date and come up with September 22, the day to plant the radish seeds outdoors.

References: Seed-Starting Solutions, by Deborah Wechsler, National Gardening,

Jan./Feb. 91; How to Sow Seeds Indoors and Out and Herbs, by W. Atlee Burpee, Co.; Park's Success with Seeds, by Anne Reilly; Park's Success with Herbs, by G. B. Foster and R. F. Louden.