Hey everyone! I'm in the northeast, specifically in zone 6, and I'm trying to figure out when to kick off my planting for spring and summer crops. I'm still deciding what exactly I want to grow, so I'm looking for advice on what types of veggies or plants I can start soon. Any tips on timing or what to plant first would be really helpful!
2 Answers
There are a couple of key things you should watch out for. First, know your last average frost date; it’s crucial to avoid cold snaps that could harm your seedlings. Secondly, check the back of your seed packets for info on when to plant. For example, if it says you can start outdoors in May, do it then! For indoor starts, aim to begin 4 to 8 weeks before that frost date. Also, consider getting a grow light and maybe some heating mats for those early stages.
If you’re in zone 6, you can start some seeds indoors around March or April. I’ve got peppers and tomatoes already sprouting in my indoor greenhouse! By late April or May, throw in cucumbers and beans indoors too. Once the nighttime temperatures are consistently above freezing for a couple of weeks, you can start transplanting outdoors. Just keep an eye on your seed packets - they usually have solid guidance. Oh, and don’t forget to plant garlic around Halloween!