Growing methods
- Direct sow
- Place seed in its final growing location.
- Start indoors
- Raise seedlings in protected conditions before outdoor planting.
- Transplant
- Move a seedling or young plant into its final location.
- Sets, bulbs, crowns, roots, or slips
- Plant established propagation material rather than seed.
Starting seeds indoors
Indoor seed weeks describe how far ahead of the recommended outdoor transplant date to start seed. A range of 6–8 weeks means count backward from that outdoor date.
Light, temperature, container size, hardening off, and seedling growth rate can change the practical timing.
Planting windows
A planting window is a useful date range, not an order to plant on one exact day. Some windows are stored calendar dates; others are calculated relative to an average frost date.
Check current weather, soil condition, and the crop’s tolerance before acting. A local Extension office may offer more specific timing for your immediate area.
Seed depth
Seed depth is the approximate depth at which seed should be covered. Soil texture, crusting, moisture, and seed size can affect emergence, so treat the value as a starting point.
Days to harvest
Days to harvest is an estimate whose starting point can differ by crop or source. Variety maturity may be counted from sowing or transplanting. Weather and growing conditions can lengthen or shorten the actual time.