Planting a successful garden starts with one key element: timing.
The High Mowing Organic Seeds Planting Chart is a trusted reference for home gardeners and small-scale farmers alike.
This post breaks down the essential planting windows for common vegetables and herbs, along with some flowers, using the High Mowing approach.
High Mowing Planting Chart
| Crop | When to Sow Indoors | When to Sow Outdoors | When to Plant Out | Soil Temp (°F) | Days to Maturity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artichoke | 8-10 weeks before last frost | – | 2 weeks after last frost | 60-75 | 85-120 |
| Arugula | 4-6 weeks before last frost | 2-4 weeks before last frost | After last frost | 40-65 | 30-50 |
| Asparagus | 10-12 weeks before last frost | – | 2 weeks after last frost | 60-75 | 2-3 years |
| Beans | – | After last frost | – | 60-85 | 50-70 |
| Beet | 4-6 weeks before last frost | 2-4 weeks before last frost | After last frost | 50-85 | 50-65 |
| Broccoli | 6-8 weeks before last frost | – | 2-3 weeks before last frost | 45-85 | 50-100 |
| Brussels Sprouts | 6-8 weeks before last frost | – | 2-3 weeks before last frost | 45-85 | 80-130 |
| Cabbage | 6-8 weeks before last frost | – | 2-3 weeks before last frost | 45-85 | 60-110 |
| Carrot | – | 2-4 weeks before last frost | – | 45-85 | 60-80 |
| Cauliflower | 6-8 weeks before last frost | – | 2-3 weeks before last frost | 45-85 | 50-80 |
| Celery/Celeriac | 10-12 weeks before last frost | – | After last frost | 60-70 | 90-120 |
| Chard | 4-6 weeks before last frost | 2-4 weeks before last frost | After last frost | 50-85 | 50-60 |
| Collards | 6-8 weeks before last frost | – | 2-3 weeks before last frost | 45-85 | 60-80 |
| Corn | 2-4 weeks before last frost | After last frost | After last frost | 60-95 | 70-100 |
| Cucumbers | 3-4 weeks before last frost | After last frost | After last frost | 60-95 | 50-70 |
| Eggplant | 8-10 weeks before last frost | – | 2 weeks after last frost | 70-85 | 60-80 |
| Endive | 4-6 weeks before last frost | 2-4 weeks before last frost | After last frost | 50-75 | 50-90 |
| Fennel | 4-6 weeks before last frost | – | After last frost | 50-75 | 60-90 |
| Garlic | – | Fall (6-8 weeks before first frost) | – | 45-65 | 240-300 |
| Greens | 4-6 weeks before last frost | 2-4 weeks before last frost | After last frost | 45-75 | 30-60 |
| Herbs | 6-8 weeks before last frost | After last frost | After last frost | 50-75 | 30-90 |
| Kale | 6-8 weeks before last frost | 2-4 weeks before last frost | 2-3 weeks before last frost | 45-85 | 50-70 |
| Kohlrabi | 4-6 weeks before last frost | 2-4 weeks before last frost | After last frost | 45-85 | 40-60 |
| Leek | 8-10 weeks before last frost | – | 2 weeks after last frost | 45-75 | 70-120 |
| Lettuce | 4-6 weeks before last frost | 2-4 weeks before last frost | After last frost | 40-75 | 45-60 |
| Melon | 3-4 weeks before last frost | After last frost | After last frost | 70-85 | 75-100 |
| Mustard Greens | 4-6 weeks before last frost | 2-4 weeks before last frost | After last frost | 45-75 | 30-50 |
| Okra | 4-6 weeks before last frost | After last frost | After last frost | 65-85 | 50-65 |
| Onions | 8-10 weeks before last frost | – | 2 weeks after last frost | 45-75 | 80-120 |
| Parsnip | – | 2-4 weeks before last frost | – | 50-70 | 90-120 |
| Peas | – | 4-6 weeks before last frost | – | 40-75 | 50-70 |
| Pepper | 8-10 weeks before last frost | – | 2 weeks after last frost | 65-85 | 60-80 |
| Potatoes | – | 2-4 weeks before last frost | – | 45-60 | 70-120 |
| Pumpkin | 3-4 weeks before last frost | After last frost | After last frost | 70-85 | 90-120 |
| Radish | – | 4-6 weeks before last frost | – | 45-85 | 25-40 |
| Rutabaga | – | 4-6 weeks before last frost | – | 50-75 | 80-100 |
| Spinach | 4-6 weeks before last frost | 4-6 weeks before last frost | After last frost | 40-75 | 35-50 |
| Summer Squash | 3-4 weeks before last frost | After last frost | After last frost | 60-85 | 50-60 |
| Sweet Potato | 8-10 weeks before last frost | – | 2 weeks after last frost | 70-85 | 90-120 |
| Tomato | 6-8 weeks before last frost | – | 2 weeks after last frost | 60-85 | 60-85 |
| Turnip | – | 4-6 weeks before last frost | – | 50-85 | 40-60 |
| Watermelon | 3-4 weeks before last frost | After last frost | After last frost | 70-85 | 80-100 |
| Zucchini | 3-4 weeks before last frost | After last frost | After last frost | 60-85 | 50-60 |
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FAQs
What month is the best time to plant a garden?
The best time to plant a garden depends on your climate zone, but for many regions (especially USDA Zones 4–7), April to May is ideal for most vegetables.
- Cool-season crops (like lettuce, spinach, and peas) can go in as early as March or April.
- Warm-season crops (like tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers) should be planted after the last frost, typically May or early June.
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Can you plant vegetable seeds straight into the ground?
Yes, many vegetables can be direct sown into the ground. These include:
- Carrots
- Radishes
- Beans
- Beets
- Corn
- Peas
- Lettuce
Just make sure your soil is workable, warm enough, and well-drained. Follow seed packet instructions for best results.
What is the rule of thumb for seed planting depth?
A general rule:
Plant seeds at a depth 2 to 3 times their diameter.
For example:
- Small seeds (lettuce, basil): 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep
- Medium seeds (carrots, beans): 1/2 inch deep
- Large seeds (corn, squash): 1 to 1.5 inches deep
Too deep, and seeds may fail to sprout. Too shallow, and they may dry out or be washed away.
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What is the easiest vegetable to grow from seeds?
Some of the easiest vegetables to grow directly from seed are:
- Radishes – germinate fast, ready in 3–4 weeks
- Lettuce – sprouts easily, tolerates cool temps
- Green beans – quick germination, low maintenance
- Zucchini – fast-growing and very productive
- Peas – easy to grow early in spring
These are great for beginners and usually don’t require starting indoors.
How late is too late to plant a garden?
In most regions, July is the last month to plant many summer vegetables. However:
- Leafy greens, radishes, and short-season crops can be planted in August or early September for a fall harvest.
- Use a fall planting calendar based on your average first frost date to determine the deadline.
Generally, if you still have 60+ frost-free days left, it’s not too late.
Is it better to plant plants at night or in the morning?
Morning is usually better than night. Here’s why:
- Plants have the entire day to adjust to their new environment.
- Cooler early morning temps reduce transplant shock.
- It allows for photosynthesis to kick in immediately.
Avoid planting in the heat of midday, and water well after planting.
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