Month-by-month vegetable seed planting calendar (2024)

Those who sow their seeds in the spring will reap beautiful fresh vegetables when the sun comes out. In addition to being economical, seeding vegetables and herbs indoors is a fun activity that allows you to see the fruits of your efforts grow with pride. You can see for yourself by watching our DIY video. It’s very simple, but there are a few guidelines to follow if you want to be successful.

Table of contents

Follow the seed starting calendar:

Early March
Mid-March
Early April
Mid-April

Cucumbers and zucchini seed planting
Seeding in the vegetable garden
Hardiness zone

1. Follow the seed starting calendar

As each variety of vegetable and fresh herb has its own growing period, it is important to determine when to sow seeds indoor according to your hardiness zone. You should not plant everything at the same time and make sure not to start too early. Of course, the urge is strong to plant everything in February to give yourself some hope of good weather, but you must resist! The first seedlings must be done in March, not before!

Seed packets instructions are good indicators of when to seed the different varieties. If you know the date of the last frost in your area, you will know exactly when to seed, whether indoors or outdoors. Always remember that it is better to plant a little later than too early.

Vegetable and herb sowing calendar
(click here to download the printable version)

Month-by-month vegetable seed planting calendar (1)

Below are the best times to sow a variety of seeds, month by month. Make sure to follow this sowing schedule and you’ll have strong, healthy seedlings to plant in the garden when the time is right!

Beginning of March: it is time to start seeding. We plant :

  • Onions. The onion is an easy-to-grow vegetable. Germination takes 4 to 5 days. Onion seeds can be sown indoors from the beginning of March to be transplanted to the vegetable garden at the beginning of May. You can also plant onion bulbs directly in the ground.
  • Leeks. The leek is a vegetable a little more capricious and requires more skills. It germinates between 5 and 7 days and the seedlings will have to be transplanted. Sow them tightly, about 1 cm between seeds, to keep the most vigourous plants. You can transplant them to the garden in May.

Mid-March is the time for planting. You can plant almost anything including :

  • Basil. This herb that everyone loves takes between 5 and 21 days to germinate. You can transplant basil to the garden in early June. Since it doesn’t like to be transplanted too much, plan a good space between the seeds right away, 2 to 3 cm. Ideal for intermediate gardeners.
  • Celery. Warning: For experienced gardeners only! Plant more than you need, as the plants do not emerge regularly. You will keep the most beautiful ones. Celery takes between 5 and 21 days to germinate and is ready to be transplanted by mid-May.
  • Cabbage. All varieties of cabbage, kale, apple, green, etc. grow quite well. Try several! They sprout in 4-7 days and will be ready to go outside by early May.
  • Chives. Chives are the perfect herb for beginners and are very easy to grow. You will see it germinate in 7 to 10 days and you can put it in the garden at the end of May. Did you know that chives are perennial? It will grow back on its own, so there is no need to sow it every year.
  • Oregano. Oregano is a moderately difficult herb to grow. Its seeds are small and should be spaced about 2 cm apart and not covered with soil. They will germinate in 7 to 14 days. You can take the plants outside at the end of May.
  • Parsley. If you like a challenge, parsley is for you. This fresh herb grows back every two years, but its taste becomes bitter and unappealing; it’s best to reseed annually. It germinates between 7 and 21 days and can be transplanted to the garden a little earlier than other herbs, around mid-May.
  • Peppers. Peppers are a bit temperamental. They like heat, both seedlings and mature plants. Germination takes between 6 and 8 days and they should not be taken out before early June: they are cold!

Early April: the last seedlings are put in the ground. It’s time to sow:

  • Broccoli. Broccoli is an easy-to-grow vegetable. They germinate between 10 and 12 days and will be ready to transplant to the garden by mid-May. Your broccoli should be transplanted when it has 3-4 true leaves.
  • Cauliflower. This is for the experts. This plant is very capricious and requires a good follow-up. If you give it a shot and are successful, you will see your seeds germinate in 4-7 days. Transplant to the garden at the end of May.
  • Lettuces. Lettuces grow quickly so you can sow them directly in-ground. If you want an early harvest, start your seedlings indoors. They will start growing in 2 to 10 days. The same goes for chard.
  • Tomatoes. This is probably the most common seedling, yet it’s not the easiest to do. Plant several types of tomatoes, red, pink, large, cherry, etc., to vary your menu. They will only be put out in the garden in early June, at the same time as the peppers.

What about cucumber and zucchini seeds?

Month-by-month vegetable seed planting calendar (2)

Cucumbers and zucchinis can be planted indoors for only 2 to 4 weeks before transplanting to the garden in early June. They should not be planted too early. Depending on the region, sowing should be done between the beginning and mid-May. Be careful, these plants do not like to be handled. It is therefore ideal to sow them on peat pellets.

And the others? Directly in the ground!

Some vegetables do not need to be planted indoors. They can be planted directly in the garden. This is the case of :

  • Spinach: to be sown in the ground from mid-April
  • Radishes: to be sown in early May
  • Carrots and beets: to be sown in the garden in mid-May
  • Beans: Sow in early June

2. Adjust the sowing calendar according to your hardiness zone

Depending on your hardiness zone, you may need to adjustour sowing schedule which is ideal for hardiness zones 5b to 6b (Montreal, Laval, Ottawa, London and surrounding areas). It is the planting time that will vary for certain regions and since we do not want to plant too early, here is how to adjust your planting dates according to your hardiness zone:

  • Zones 2 to 4b: delay your sowing by 3 weeks
  • Zones 4b to 5a: delay seeding by 2 weeks
  • Zones 5b to 6b: follow the schedule suggested above
  • Zone 7: you can advance your seeding by two weeks

To find out your hardiness zone, use the calculator on the W.H. Perron website using your postal code. Knowing your hardiness zone will be very useful in choosing plants that will tolerate your environment well.

If you wish to obtain an even more precise date, refer to the dates indicated on the back of the seed bags. You will also need the date of the last frosts in your area. Unfortunately, those found on the Internet are averages obtained over the last few years. We suggest that you add two weeks to be sure. Remember that it is better to seed too late than too early.

For your seedlings to be successful, you must be patient. Sowing too early will not help you, on the contrary. To find out how to do your own seedlings or what materials you need, see our article on the subject. You will also find a lot of tips and advice for your seedlings in our article: Tips and advice for successful vegetable and herb seedlings.

Good luck!

Download the calendar

Month-by-month vegetable seed planting calendar (2024)

FAQs

What vegetables to plant in what month? ›

Recommended planting dates for major regions of California
Recommended planting dates
VegetablesNorth & North CoastSouth Coast
corn, sweetMay-JulyMarch-July
cucumbersApril-JuneApril-Jun
eggplant*MayApril-May
29 more rows

How do I make a planting schedule? ›

Calculating planting dates is different for each plant. It's based on growing zone, frost dates and a plant's maturity date and needs. A planting schedule can be created by determining the first frost date and then working backwards. This will help figure out the best planting date for whatever you are growing.

What month should I start my vegetable seeds? ›

The best time to start seeds indoors is typically late March through late May. If you live in a warmer growing zone, though, when to plant seeds may be earlier for you.

How many vegetable seeds should be planted together? ›

Like most things in gardening, there are always exceptions to this rule of 2-3 seeds per hole. If you're planting large seeds like cucumbers, melons, or pumpkins, you should only use one seed per hole. However, you can still plant seeds close together and then thin them out once they've established themselves.

How to plan a vegetable garden layout? ›

As a general rule, put tall veggies toward the back of the bed, mid-sized ones in the middle, and smaller plants in the front or as a border. Consider adding pollinator plants to attract beneficial insects that can not only help you get a better harvest, but will also prey on garden pests.

What are the easiest vegetables to grow for beginners? ›

  • Easiest vegetables to grow. ...
  • Leafy greens. ...
  • Root vegetables: Radishes, turnips and carrots. ...
  • Did you know? ...
  • Cucumbers. ...
  • Broccoli. ...
  • Peas/Snow Peas. ...
  • Strawberries. Everyone wants to grow their own strawberries, and nothing is more deliscious than one straight from your patio or backyard.

What is the best planting pattern? ›

There are two basic rules when arranging plants in the beds: 1) space the individual plants so that they touch each other when they reach their mature size, and 2) overlap the masses of plants and connect them so that they flow without space between them. Avoid gaps or large open areas between masses.

When to plant cucumbers? ›

Cucumbers grow best in warm weather. Start seeds indoors in late April for transplants. Sow seed directly in the garden after soil has warmed, usually in May. Plastic mulch and row covers allow earlier planting.

When to plant tomatoes? ›

Dry soil is warm soil. Soil that has warmed earlier than usual can be planted to tomatoes earlier than usual. After March 15 is a sure bet for when to plant tomatoes in most of Southern California, but — as my gardening calendar also notes — plants grow according to the environmental conditions, not the calendar.

Should you water seeds right after planting? ›

Moisture Matters – After planting, water seeds with a gentle mist or shower. Avoid using a strong splash or spray, which can dislodge seeds. It is vital to keep soil consistently moist. In a sunny spot, this may mean watering twice a day.

Should you fertilize before planting vegetable seeds? ›

Before planting vegetable plants in the spring or fall, apply fertilizer to the soil and mix it in well to the upper five inches of the soil. After working it in, gently water the soil so the nutrients will begin to break down.

Is it better to plant seeds in morning or evening? ›

Sowing means planting a seed or putting the seed in the soil. Sow seeds early in the morning so the water has enough time to permeate the soil and get warm throughout the day. You can do it in the evening but make sure the seed flats stay warm overnight.

What happens if you plant seeds too close together? ›

I know it's rough, but the answer is yes. Because here's what happens if you don't: None of your plants will have the room they need to grow to their fullest potential. Overcrowded plants often grow leggy (they basically grow too tall and thin in their search for more resources) and show signs of stress.

What is the best potting mix for vegetable seeds? ›

Combine compost, topsoil, a bit of coarse sand, and something like vermiculite, perlite, or coco coir until you have a mix with a consistency that holds together when wet. For seed starting, you'll avoid using as much sand as you would when making soil for your garden.

How many tomato plants should I plant? ›

How many vegetable to plant for a family
Vegetable cropPlants per 1 personComments
Tomatoes1 to 4Cherries: Grow one per person; slicing: grow one to two per person; paste: grow three to four per person
Zucchini1 to 2Flowers from zucchini plants are also edible, fry them up and give them a try for something new
20 more rows
Mar 12, 2018

What time of year should you start a vegetable garden? ›

Generally March and April, when the soil begins to warm, are the best months to begin sowing many hardy annual vegetable seeds outdoors including broccoli, cabbage, chard, carrots, peas and parsnips.

Is it too late in the season to plant a vegetable garden? ›

You can absolutely continue to garden after your first frost date in the fall or winter and then begin to plant before your last frost date in the late winter or spring. The only thing your first frost date tells you is when your warm season ends and your cool season begins.

When should you start planting flowers and vegetables? ›

Generally speaking, the ideal planting season is between spring and fall. In spring, the weather is usually mild, and it's the time of year when nurseries start filling up with color. Fall is another popular planting period. The soil is typically still warm, which allows roots to grow until the ground freezes.

When's the best time to plant tomatoes? ›

Tomatoes are warm-season plants that do not tolerate frost or chilly temperatures. We normally recommend planting early to mid-May when the danger of frost has past and soil has had a chance to warm. Be sure to save the sunniest spots for your tomatoes, this will give you optimum fruit production.

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