Photo: nutroo.men & clipartmax.com
Wondering when you should start your seeds of vegetables and herbs indoors?
Here’s a handy list, based on the planting out date (or safe sowing date): the date when normally both the soil and the air have warmed up and when you expect to be able to plant or sow them safely outdoors. Usually, the planting-out date is about 7 to 14 days after the official last frost date for your region.
Sowing Dates for Popular Seed-Grown Vegetables and Herbs
| Variety | Weeks Indoors |
|---|---|
| Amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus, A. cruentus and A. hypocondiacus) | 4 weeks |
| Angelica (Angelica archangelica) | 8 weeks |
| Anise (Pimpinella anisum) | 8 weeks |
| Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus) | 10 weeks |
| Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) | 8 weeks |
| Aubergine (Solanum melongena) | 8 weeks |
| Balm, Lemon (Melissa officinalis) | 10 weeks |
| Basil (Ocimum basilicum and others) | 4 weeks |
| Bean, Broad (Vicia fava) | Sow outdoors |
| Bean, Bush (Phaseolus vulgaris) | Sow outdoors |
| Bean, Fava (Vicia fava) | Sow outdoors |
| Bean, Pole (Phaseolus vulgaris) | 2 weeks or sow outdoors |
| Bean, Scarlet Runner (Phaseolus coccineus) | 2 weeks or sow outdoors |
| Beet, Beetroot (Beta vulgaris Condivita group) | Sow outdoors |
| Borage (Borago officinalis) | 8 weeks |
| Broccoli (Brassica oleracea italica) | 8 weeks |
| Brussels Sprouts (Brassica oleracea gemmifera) | 4 weeks |
| Cabbage (Brassica oleracea capitata) | 5 weeks |
| Cantaloup (Cucumis melo) | 3 weeks |
| Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) | 10 weeks |
| Carrot (Daucus carota) | Sow outdoors |
| Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea botrytis) | 8 weeks |
| Celery (Apium graveolens) | 8 weeks |
| Chamomile, German (Matricaria chamomilla, syn. Matricaria recutita) | 6 weeks |
| Chamomile, Roman (Chamaemelum nobile, syn. Anthemis nobile) | 8 weeks |
| Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) | 6 weeks |
| Chicory (Chichorium intybus) | 4 weeks |
| Chinese Cabbage (Brassica rapa pekinensis) | Sow outdoors |
| Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) | 4 weeks |
| Chives, Garlic (Allium tuberosum) | 4 weeks |
| Cilantro or Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) | 5 weeks or sow outdoors |
| Corn (Zea mays) Sow outdoors | Sow outdoors |
| Courgette (Cucurbita pepo) | 3 weeks or sow outdoors |
| Cucamelon, mouse melon or Mexican sour gherkin (Melothria scabra) | 4 weeks |
| Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) | 2 weeks or sow outdoors |
| Dill (Anethum graveolens) | 6 weeks |
| Eggplant (Solanum melongena) | 8 weeks |
| Endive (Chichorium endivia) | 6 weeks |
| Escarole (Chichorium endivia) | 6 weeks |
| Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) | 4 weeks |
| Ground cherry (Physalis pruinosa) | 8 weeks |
| Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) | 8 weeks |
| Kale (Brassica oleracea acephala) | 6 weeks |
| Kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea gongylodes) | 4 weeks or sow outdoors |
| Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) | 14 weeks |
| Leek (Allium ampeloprasum) | 12 weeks |
| Lentil (Lens culinaris) | Sow outdoors |
| Lettuce (Lactuca sativus) | 4 weeks or sow outdoors |
| Maize (Zea mays) | Sow outdoors |
| Majorum (Origanum majorana, syn. O. hortensis) | 6 weeks |
| Melon (Cucumis melo) | 3 weeks |
| Mint (Mentha spp.) | 8 weeks |
| Mizuna (Brassica juncea japonica) | 4 weeks |
| Okra (Abelmochus esculentus) | 8 weeks |
| Onion (Allium cepa) | 8 weeks |
| Oregano (Origanum vulgare) | 6 weeks |
| Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) | 6 weeks |
| Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) | Sow outdoors |
| Pea (Pisum sativum) | Sow outdoors |
| Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) | 6 weeks |
| Pepper (Capsicum annuum and others) | 9 weeks |
| Potato (Solanum tuberosum) | 6 weeks |
| Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo and others) | 3 weeks or sow outdoors |
| Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) | 6 weeks or sow outdoors |
| Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) | Sow outdoors |
| Radicchio (Chichorium intybus) | 4 weeks |
| Radish (Raphanus sativus) | Sow outdoors |
| Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) | 6 weeks |
| Sage, Common (Salvia officinalis) | 8 weeks |
| Savory, Summer (Satureja hortensis) | 4 weeks |
| Shallot (Allium cepa aggregatum) | 8 weeks |
| Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) | 4 weeks or sow outdoors |
| Spinach, New Zealand (Tetragona expansa) | 3 weeks |
| Squash (Cucurbita pepo and others) | 3 weeks or sow outdoors |
| Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) | 14 weeks |
| Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris Flavescens Group) | Sow outdoors |
| Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) | 8 weeks |
| Thyme (Thymus vulgaris and others) | 8 weeks |
| Tomatillo (Physalis ixocarpa and P. philadelphica) | 6 weeks |
| Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) | 6 weeks |
| Turnip (Brassica rapa rapifera) | Sow outdoors |
| Vegetable Marrow (Cucurbita pepo and others) | 3 weeks or sow outdoors |
| Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) | 3 weeks |
| Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) | 3 weeks or sow outdoors |
Article partly based on one that appeared in this blog on February 7, 2018
Planted my first seeds for the window sill today ( ?) so this was very timely ( as ever!)