7 Signs of When to Start Planting a Garden

After waiting out the cold winter months, your green thumb is probably itching to get back into the soil. But before you pull on your garden gloves, here are a few signs to look for that indicate when to start planting a garden.

Last Frost Date

The cooperative extension service in your area (connected to your state’s land grant university) tracks the first and last frost dates each season to determine an average day for both. The average first and last frost dates are key indicators of when to plant. Cool-weather crops, such as spinach, peas, and radishes, go in about three weeks before your average last frost date. Wait until after the final frost to plant warm-weather vegetables and herbs, such as tomatoes, peppers, and basil. In the fall, you count backward from the first frost date to determine when to plant more cool-weather crops.

Workable Soil

In many areas of the U.S., the ground in spring is frozen and/or soggy. When the soil has defrosted and it is dry enough to crumble in your hands, you can begin working out your vegetable garden layout plans and spacing. Many cool-weather plants can go in as soon as the soil is workable.

Rising Nighttime Temperatures

Even when some of the days are warming up, overnight temperatures can still drop into the high 30s and low 40s—too cold for warm-season garden vegetables and herbs to grow or even survive. Cold-tolerant plants can go into your garden when the temps stay above 45 degrees F at night. Hold off until nighttime temperatures stay above 60 degrees F to put in warm-season vegetables and herbs.

Increasing Sunlight Hours

Observe your garden beds in the morning and evening to see when sunlight starts and stops shining on them. Leafy plants such as greens and most herbs need about six to eight hours of sunlight a day to be productive. Crops that bear fruit, including tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers, require more than 10 hours of daylight during the peak growing season. Build your garden plans around when the plants get sufficient light to grow and thrive.

Nature Clues

Phenology is the study of the timing and cyclical patterns of events in the natural world. These phenomena have become the source of tried-and-true folk wisdom that can help you determine when to plant your garden. For instance, you can sow seeds of radishes and cool-season greens when crocuses begin blooming in your area. Plant peas, onion sets, and lettuce after you see forsythia flowering, but wait until the daffodils open to put in half-hardy vegetables such as beets, carrots, and chard. Look for dandelions to bloom before planting potatoes and start bush beans when you see apple trees in blossom. Move tomato starts to the garden when lilies-of-the-valley flower but wait until the bearded irises open for peppers and eggplant.

Overcast Days

While your garden plants need lots of sun to grow and thrive, the best conditions for putting them in the ground are cloudy with a sprinkle of rain. This helps the transplants to settle in and begin to draw up moisture through their roots before the bright sun beats down on them. Watch the weather forecast and look for a day that will be overcast or even drizzly to plant your garden.

Seed Packets and Plant Tags

If you’re a beginner at gardening, the pros at Burpee make it easy for you to know when to plant. On every seed packet and plant tag from Burpee, you’ll see guidance on the ideal time to sow or transplant the varieties you’ve selected. Burpee’s Garden-Ready Plants are even simpler because they are shipped to you when it’s time to put them in your beds or containers.

You’ll find a wide range of products to help you launch your garden and all the information you need in Burpee’s Guide to Getting Started.

Source: burpee.com/garden-guide©