It seems like everyone is starting seeds! Here in Northern Wisconsin it is still very cold and our growing season is short. It’s not quite time for us to start seeds. In a lucky year we get about a 120 day growing season, but in the years that I’ve been gardening we have had seasons as short as 90 days. We are considered zone 4a and our last frost date is in late May.

A note about zones: Knowing your zone is important when planting perennials because it is based on the lowest winter temperatures. This will help you determine if your plants have the ability to survive your winters. Your zone does NOT predict your season length or when you should start seeds. To better understand your planting time, the important dates are last frost and first frost dates.

If you have ever met a gardener that starts their own seeds, you will notice we have little restraint when it comes to starting them early. Over the last several years though, I have lost many plants to frost or outgrowing their space. I have adjusted my seed starting calendar this year to eliminate some of those mistakes and make my limited space capable of planting more. Here it is, a printable planting guide for recommended start times:

Most of the vegetables listed can be started early, but some frost hardy varieties can also be direct sown before your last frost date. I have included both in the chart, but a lot of the plants started 10 weeks early can be direct sown about 6 weeks early if you prefer. My plan for this year is to start cold hardy varieties and move them out from under the grow lights and into my small greenhouse by the time I’m planting more frost tender plants indoors. This will allow me to get a jump start on cold hardy varieties while doubling the amount I can grow under the grow lights. Here are my specific start dates based on a late May last frost date:

*These dates are flexible and simplified. You can find official recommendations on the back of your seed packets.

I know some northern gardeners who are hesitant to plant many peppers or eggplants because they thrive in heat. We don’t get particularly hot summers, but I have had success with smaller varieties like mini bell peppers, banana peppers, and jalapeƱos. My bell peppers and eggplants did well in a greenhouse, but have not been overly successful in my garden beds. These plants will do best if you refrain from planting your starts out until a couple of weeks AFTER your last frost date because cold nights can stunt them. That means if you start them earlier than recommended they will struggle indoors.

Take it from me, I’ve planted peppers in early March and tomatoes in mid March only to end up with giant plants struggling with edema (a moisture issue due to crowding and air flow problems). Last year I was forced to plant my tomatoes early to salvage the overgrown plants I had. We got hit with a late frost and even with covers I lost 70 tomato plants. Don’t be like 2021 me. Patients friends.

It’s important to remember that you don’t have to start your own seeds to be a gardener. If you are interested in getting started though, feel free to reach out. Also check out my seeds starting product recommendations. Happy gardening!

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