Seed Starting Chart: Best Times To Start Your Seeds

Ready to get growing? Our handy chart will help you figure out when and where to start your seeds.

by Farmers' Almanac Staff Updated: March 25, 2021

Ready to start that spring garden but not sure when you should start your seeds? We can help. Our seed starting chart helps you determine when and where to start your seeds. Some seeds should be started indoors, while others can be directly sown outside. Refer to our Average Frost Dates to determine your last spring frost.

Your seed packets will have most of the information you need but here are our recommendations:

Vegetable Seeds

Vegetable	Where to Start	When To Start
Beans	Outside	2 weeks after last frost
Beets	Outside	2-4 weeks before last frost
Broccoli	Inside	4-6 weeks before last frost
Cabbage	Inside	6-8 weeks before last frost
Carrots	Outside	2-4 weeks before last frost
Celery	Inside	10-12 weeks before last frost
Corn	Outside	2 weeks after last frost
Cucumbers	Outside	3 weeks after last frost
Kale	Inside	4-6 weeks before last frost
Leeks	Inside	10-12 weeks before last frost
Lettuce	Inside	4-6 weeks before last frost
Onions	Inside	10-12 weeks before last frost
Peas	Outside	4-6 weeks before last frost
Peppers	Inside	8-10 weeks before last frost
Pumpkins	Outide	2-4 weeks after last frost
Radishes	Outside	4-6 weeks before last frost
Spinach	Outside	4-6 weeks before last frost
Squash	Outside	3 weeks after last frost
Tomatoes	Inside	6-8 weeks before last frost