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Interested in growing a garden from seed , but are n’t trusted when to depart ? Well , we did the tricky part for you ! Our handy printableplanting calendarsshow when to commence seed indoors , transplant seedlings outdoors , or directly sow seed out of doors – for dozens of different vegetables , and schedule forevery USDA hardiness growing zone . We keep ours in a sheet protector on our fridge for easy reference .

Even if you ’re not start from seed , you may still apply our garden planting calendar to settle the best time to plantnursery - bought seedlingsin your area too . Just follow the “ transplant out-of-door ” dates .

A planting calendar for US zone 10 which includes what time of year to start and plant a variety of vegetables outside.

First , let ’s quickly go over a few concepts that will aid you decode how to make best use of your novel planting charts .

Note : This post was originally published in January 2021 .

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Two seed storage boxes are opened on a table, many seed packets, seed catalogues, and planting calendars are scattered around the table.

Hardiness Zones and Frost Dates

Your location orgrowing zoneis the primary factor used to set when to start seeds indoors and plant thing out of doors . USDA hardiness zona ( aka planting geographical zone or garden zone ) are regions grouped by common low temperatures andaverage frost dates , place from zona 1 to zona 13 .

Each growing zone is about10 degreeswarmer than the legal proceeding zone . The lower the zone phone number , the longer and colder the winters are . zone are   further subdivided by an“A ” or “ B”classification , such as zone 8a and 8b . There is a 5 level temperature difference of opinion between these sub - zones , with A being the colder of the two .

If you are n’t sure what geographical zone you ’re in , habituate this handy zip codification lookup toolto find out !

A USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is shown with red, orange, and yellow coloration in warmer areas to green, blue and purple in the colder areas.

Once you lie with your hardiness geographical zone , expend the corresponding planting calendar below as ageneral guide . If you ’re in between zones , feel free to cite two ! Also , keep in mind that the hardiness zona scheme does NOT calculate forheat , humidness , precipitation , or other climatic factors .

find out zones here , include their limitations and the 2023 map update .

Type of Vegetable Or Seed

The next key fruit for determining when to start seeds indoors iswhat character of seedsyou are growing . For illustration , it ’s advocate to start tomato seeds inside about 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost date . On the other hand , zucchini seed should be begin indoors only 3 to 4 calendar week prior to your last hoar date . Eachseed packageshould specify what ’s near for that eccentric of vegetable or plant .

As you’re able to suppose , reckon forward or half-witted several week to determine the utter metre to plant dozens of veg quickly gets confusing and difficult to keep rail of ! Even more , some cum packages do n’t include instructions for when to start come at all . That ’s where our garden planting calendar redeem the day , packing all that information intoone soft - to - follow page !

The Importance of Good Timing

set off semen indoors is much like Goldilocks and The Three Bears : not too other , not too late . With metre and experience , you ’ll visualize out the timing that is “ just right ” for your garden .

If you ’re an eager beaver and start seeds indoorstoo early , you ’ll end up with immense seedling that getunruly or tooth root - boundbefore the atmospheric condition is right to transplant them outside . They ’ll take up a lot of quad under your grow light , and postulate pee more frequently to remain healthy . Root - bound seedlings may become permanently stunted , so be sure topot uplarge seedling as needed !

On the other hand , starting seeds or planting seedlingstoo lateinto the spring season can put your garden behind schedule , result indelayed maturity and harvests . This is specially a bummer in zones with special short grow seasons !

The back of a seed packet from Botanical Interests is shown. The description of the vegetable is included along with when to sow seeds outside and when to sow seeds inside. The row spacing, maturity, thinning, seed depth, and days to emerge are also included as well.

How to Use Our Planting Calendars

Time Ranges

Our seed starting calendars offer ageneral timeframeor reach , not an exact engagement , since every garden , year , A / B geographical zone , and microclimate will vary somewhat . It may take a few season of trial and error to envision out the dear timing and plant varieties for your particular garden . Wetake notesyear - to - yr and adjust our schedule as needed .

Starting Indoors vs Direct Sow Outside

On the planting calendar , you ’ll see some vegetables with a timeframe to “ plant source out of doors ” but not depart inwardly . That ’s because some plantsdon’t take kindly to transplanting , includingroot vegetablessuch as carrots , Beta vulgaris , radishes , and garlic , so it ’s dear todirect sowthose come right in the garden . Other cropscanbe started indoors , but seem to prosper best when forthwith sown , like peas and beans .

Spring vs Fall Seed Starting

Another option you ’ll see on the garden planting calendar isboth a spring and tumble planting timefor one crop . However , you may find that bounce or fall is more or less successful in your specific garden or mood , but not both . For case , we can grow broccoli in spring - summer here in Coastal California ( geographical zone 9 ) but it would be too raging to do so in Phoenix , Arizona ( also geographical zone 9).Experimentand talk to other local gardeners in your area to see what they ’ve had most succeeder with !

Succession Planting

Some vegetables admit a fairly long window to plant seeds outdoors . This likely means you have the option tosuccession plantthat craw , or continually sow seeds every few week over several month . This ensue insteady and staggered harvestsof sure fast - develop crops . radish , bush bean , beets , infant green , arugula , and even courgette are prime examples of crops desirable for succession planting ( depending on your unique weather ) .

Transplanting Time

When it ’s finally transplanting time , do n’t rush ! Be sure to properlyharden offindoor - arouse seedling before planting them outside to prevent graft shock . Choose a calm , mild day for planting , and then keep an center on the weather prognosis thereafter . Be prepared to protect tender sensitive seedling from hoarfrost , heat waves , and pest as needed . See how we usegarden basket and rowing coversfor all three !

Seed Starting Charts: Planting Calendars for Every Zone

Below you may notice garden planting calendars for every USDA hardiness zone . you may also save a PDF to print . I go for you find them helpful !

Zone 2 Garden Planting Calendar

Zone 3 Garden Planting Calendar

Zone 4 Garden Planting Calendar

Zone 5 Garden Planting Calendar

Zone 6 Garden Planting Calendar

Zone 7 Garden Planting Calendar

Zone 8 Garden Planting Calendar

Zone 9 Garden Planting Calendar

Zone 10 Garden Planting Calendar

Zone 11 and 12 Garden Planting Calendar

Thank you so much for tuning in today ! I hope you bed using your unexampled planting calendars . Please let me know if you have any questions . Also , please feel free to spread the beloved by partake in this post . Have a successful growing season ahead !

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DeannaCat is holding a seedling by a root ball that is going to be transplanted into a raised garden bed. The white roots streak across the outer regions of the ball like lightning set against a black sky. Learn when to plant seeds to give your vegetables to best chance for success.

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Raised garden beds with hoops and row covers protect tender vegetable seedlings below.

A planting calendar for Zone 2, it has many different vegetables lined up on the left side of the chart and all of the months of the year listed on the top of the chart. Each vegetable has different colored lines that correspond with when to start seeds inside, transplant outdoors, and plant seeds outside, along with corresponding last frost date and first frost date where applicable. The lines start left to right, showing what months you should do each particular task depending on the season and where you live.

Learn when to plant seeds by using this planting calendar for Zone 3, it has many different vegetables lined up on the left side of the chart and all of the months of the year listed on the top of the chart. Each vegetable has different colored lines that correspond with when to start seeds inside, transplant outdoors, and plant seeds outside, along with corresponding last frost date and first frost date where applicable. The lines start left to right, showing what months you should do each particular task depending on the season and where you live.

A planting calendar for Zone 4, it has many different vegetables lined up on the left side of the chart and all of the months of the year listed on the top of the chart. Each vegetable has different colored lines that correspond with when to start seeds inside, transplant outdoors, and plant seeds outside, along with corresponding last frost date and first frost date where applicable. The lines start left to right, showing what months you should do each particular task depending on the season and where you live.

A planting calendar for Zone 5, it has many different vegetables lined up on the left side of the chart and all of the months of the year listed on the top of the chart. Each vegetable has different colored lines that correspond with when to start seeds inside, transplant outdoors, and plant seeds outside, along with corresponding last frost date and first frost date where applicable. The lines start left to right, showing what months you should do each particular task depending on the season and where you live.

Learn when to plant seeds by using this planting calendar for Zone 6, it has many different vegetables lined up on the left side of the chart and all of the months of the year listed on the top of the chart. Each vegetable has different colored lines that correspond with when to start seeds inside, transplant outdoors, and plant seeds outside, along with corresponding last frost date and first frost date where applicable. The lines start left to right, showing what months you should do each particular task depending on the season and where you live.

A planting calendar for Zone 7, it has many different vegetables lined up on the left side of the chart and all of the months of the year listed on the top of the chart. Each vegetable has different colored lines that correspond with when to start seeds inside, transplant outdoors, and plant seeds outside, along with corresponding last frost date and first frost date where applicable. The lines start left to right, showing what months you should do each particular task depending on the season and where you live.

A planting calendar for Zone 8, it has many different vegetables lined up on the left side of the chart and all of the months of the year listed on the top of the chart. Each vegetable has different colored lines that correspond with when to start seeds inside, transplant outdoors, and plant seeds outside, along with corresponding last frost date and first frost date where applicable. The lines start left to right, showing what months you should do each particular task depending on the season and where you live.

Learn when to plant seeds by using this planting calendar for Zone 9, it has many different vegetables lined up on the left side of the chart and all of the months of the year listed on the top of the chart. Each vegetable has different colored lines that correspond with when to start seeds inside, transplant outdoors, and plant seeds outside, along with corresponding last frost date and first frost date where applicable. The lines start left to right, showing what months you should do each particular task depending on the season and where you live.

A planting calendar for Zone 10, it has many different vegetables lined up on the left side of the chart and all of the months of the year listed on the top of the chart. Each vegetable has different colored lines that correspond with when to start seeds inside, transplant outdoors, and plant seeds outside, along with corresponding last frost date and first frost date where applicable. The lines start left to right, showing what months you should do each particular task depending on the season and where you live.

Learn when to plant seeds by using this planting calendar for Zones 11-12, it has many different vegetables lined up on the left side of the chart and all of the months of the year listed on the top of the chart. Each vegetable has different colored lines that correspond with when to start seeds inside, transplant outdoors, and plant seeds outside, along with corresponding last frost date and first frost date where applicable. The lines start left to right, showing what months you should do each particular task depending on the season and where you live.

DeannaCat signature, keep on growing