I'm a first-timer when it comes to starting seeds, and I'm in the Chicagoland area (Zone 6a). I ordered some seeds about six weeks ago, but they just arrived a little over a week ago. I've got two types of cherry tomatoes and several herbs. With the last frost reportedly coming this weekend, I'm worried because the tomatoes are just starting to germinate. For my cilantro, parsley, oregano, basil, and hot peppers, is it too late to get them started? None of the herbs have sprouted yet, and I'm anxious about missing the growing season altogether.
3 Answers
You should be alright as long as you get started soon! In Chicago, we typically don’t see frosts after May 1 due to the urban heat island effect. It’s a good idea to start frost-sensitive plants like tomatoes around April 1 or so. For herbs, most should be fine to plant now, except for basil, which should be treated more carefully because it really hates the cold!
You're in good shape! You still have plenty of time before frost, so you should get a nice haul of tomatoes. I usually start mine around April 10 and enjoy the fruits by late July or early August, even starting in zone 6B with last frost on May 15. Totally doable!
You’ll be fine! Just make sure to plant your peppers ASAP since they need a longer growing season. Parsley can be tricky and may take its sweet time to germinate. And just a heads up on basil: it really doesn’t do well in the cold, so keep it safe! If it does freeze, don’t hesitate to sow more seeds. I’m up in north central Illinois and I’ve had good luck with peppers!
I'm also using a heat mat for my peppers! It’s taking forever, but hoping they’ll speed up. Fingers crossed for a sunny summer!
That's great to know! I was worried about all my herbs but now feel a bit more relaxed. Thanks for the tips!