Comments | gardening: When should I plant outside?

originalmj in gardening

When should I plant outside?

Apr 18, 2010 23:03

I'm working on my first vegetable garden. I built two raised beds and filled them with a mixture of vermiculite, compost and peat moss. My seedlings are started inside and some are looking stronger than others. I'm wondering when I should put them outside. I live on the zone 5B-6 line. The last frost date is predicted to be May 24th, but it has ( Read more... )

vegetable: squash, vegetable: cucumber, transplanting, annuals, vegetable: onion, garden method: square foot/sfg, vegetable: spinach, vegetable: bean, vegetable: pea, seeds, zone: usda 5, zone: usda 6, vegetable: pepper, garden method: raised beds, vegetable: lettuce, beginning gardener

Comments 6

sb158 April 19 2010, 03:46:31 UTC

I'd suggest looking for the Agriculture Extension Service website for the county in which you live, or just Google your area and planting dates. No clue, cuz I live in S. TX.

mmegaera April 19 2010, 04:00:30 UTC

Too many variables. Seconding the recommendation of your county extension office, if you live in the U.S.

bailey36 April 19 2010, 04:08:15 UTC

find out the last freeze date for your zone, then still don't plant outdoors until the soil is warmed up, I went ahead this year, even tho' I'm in zone 5, and seeded my garden with brassicas, and root veggies, also peas, I put in leaf lettuce, carrots and spinach, [all cool weather crops] in my salad garden with is protected as it's against the garage and is full-sun, the seeds haven't germinated yet, and our weekend frost probably won't affect them. Some plants need direct sow, like leaf lettuce, carrots, spinach, some curcubits [squashes etc.] and brassicas, and roots, and some like the nightshades need to be warm-started in an inside environment. This is what gardening is all about, sorting out what to do when. Have lots of fun with your garden!!!!

low_delta April 19 2010, 04:11:19 UTC

Don't plant until the danger of frost has passed. Here in southeastern Wisconsin, that's traditionally Memorial Day weekend.

I think you'd be okay putting out the lettuce and spinach sooner, though. Someone should correct me if I'm wrong, but those can handle a light frost. And they both mature quickly enough that you should have no problem harvesting for most of the early summer. You might have to put them out when they get too big for your indoor plot.

labradors April 19 2010, 13:23:02 UTC

http://www.extension.iastate.edu/publications/pm534.pdf This is for zone 5 so it may be a little early. You can find your last and first frost dates online and that will tell you what the growing season is (how many days.) Most seed packets say how long it takes for a veggie to reach maturity, so that should help. I have that guide up on my fridge and it's been a huge help for when to start things. Our last frost date is early/mid May so you can move things back a few weeks it sounds like.
I have lettuce and peas started outside, and onions too. It sounds like spinach can be started now as well. Beans and squash I usually direct-sow, but would probably work as starters. Basil is a very easy, fast-grower, but also easy to start inside. Peppers definitely start indoors.
Look at a website like Dave's garden for how to harden off seedlings. http://davesgarden.com/guides/