Home & Garden → Planting Vegetables, Trees, and Lawns →
Growing Vegetables Chart
by The Old Farmer's Almanac
In addition to this information on when to start seeds, when to fertilize, and when to water, see tips for beginner gardeners.
| Vegetable | Start Seeds Indoors (weeks before last spring frost) |
Start Seeds Outdoors (weeks before or after last spring frost) |
Minimum Soil Temperature to Germinate (°F) | Cold Hardiness | When to Fertilize | When to Water |
| Beans | -- | Anytime after | 48-50 | Tender | After heavy bloom and set of pods | Regularly, from start of pod to set |
| Beets | -- | 4 before to 4 after | 39-41 | Half-hardy | At time of planting | Only during drought conditions |
| Broccoli | 6-8 | 4 before | 55-75 | Hardy | Three weeks after transplanting | Only during drought conditions |
| Brussels sprouts | 6-8 | -- | 55-75 | Hardy | Three weeks after transplanting | At transplanting |
| Cabbage | 6-8 | Anytime after | 38-40 | Hardy | Three weeks after transplanting | Two to three weeks before harvest |
| Carrots | -- | 4-6 before | 39-41 | Half-hardy | Preferably in the fall for the following spring | Only during drought conditions |
| Cauliflower | 6-8 | 4 before | 65-75 | Half-hardy | Three weeks after transplanting | Once, three weeks before harvest |
| Celery | 6-8 | -- | 60-70 | Tender | At time of transplanting | Once a week |
| Corn | -- | 2 after | 46-50 | Tender | When eight to ten inches tall, and again when first silk appears | When tassels appear and cobs start to swell |
| Cucumbers | 3-4 | 1-2 after | 65-70 | Very tender | One week after bloom, and again three weeks later | Frequently, especially when fruits form |
| Lettuce | 4-6 | 2-3 after | 40-75 | Half-hardy | Two to three weeks after transplanting | Once a week |
| Melons | 3-4 | 2 after | 55-60 | Very tender | One week after bloom, and again three weeks later | Once a week |
| Onion sets | -- | 4 before | 34-36 | Hardy | When bulbs begin to swell, and again when plants are one foot tall | Only during drought conditions |
| Parsnips | -- | 2-4 before | 55-70 | Hardy | One year before planting | Only during drought conditions |
| Peas | -- | 4-6 before | 34-36 | Hardy | After heavy bloom and set of pods | Regularly, from start of pod to set |
| Peppers | 8-10 | -- | 70-80 | Very tender | After first fruit-set | Once a week |
| Potato tubers | -- | 2-4 before | 55-70 | Half-hardy | At bloom time or time of second hilling | Regularly, when tubers start to form |
| Pumpkins | 3-4 | 1 after | 55-60 | Tender | Just before vines start to run, when plants are about one foot tall | Only during drought conditions |
| Radishes | -- | 4-6 before | 39-41 | Hardy | Before spring planting | Once a week |
| Spinach | -- | 4-6 before | 55-65 | Hardy | When plants are one-third grown | Once a week |
| Squash, summer | 3-4 | 1 after | 55-60 | Very tender | Just before vines start to run, when plants are about one foot tall | Only during drought conditions |
| Squash, winter | 3-4 | 1 after | 55-60 | Tender | Just before vines start to run, when plants are about one foot tall | Only during drought conditions |
| Tomatoes | 6-8 | -- | 50-55 | Tender | Two weeks before, and after first picking | Twice a week |
This information provided by The Old Farmer's Almanac.
Reader Comments
Comment from Rosalie Cooksey on May 5, 2009
Does anyone have experience with planting vegs in the upside down planters? There would definitely be fewer weeds (oh, joy!) but how about size, fertilizing, can you put in more than one plant? What about heavy vegetables, ie eggplant, pickling and cucumbers, etc? It sounds as if I need lessons learned - do you have some?
Yours for weed free gardening and more free time, Roz
Comment from SUZANNE GAY on May 5, 2009
I don't have experience but I'm going to try it this year, what have I got to loose? I am going to use big containers from my son's powdered protein for some and for others, a 2 liter 7-UP bottle. They say that the colored containers help to keep them from getting sunburned. I'm going to try it with my summer squash and cukes also. For this year, just in case it doesn't work, I will also plant some in my garden. A tip that I read that I'm going to try is to use newspaper at the hole where the plant comes out so that it doesn't fall out at first. That article also said you could just use pails, preferably with lids so that bugs can't fall in. It might be fun, give it a try! That Topsy Turvy guy has made a bunch off the idea!
Comment from peg newman on May 5, 2009
Suzanne- what article did you read about planting in 7-up bottles andpails, I tryed locally to buy those topsy turvy planters and they are all sold out and the warehouses don't have any in stock- so alot of people must be trying it!!!! This is in western Washington state. Any other ideas you can pass along would be appreciated Thank you
Comment from joann rezendes on May 6, 2009
My husband tried this last year and just used the regular hanging flower pot that normal annuals come in this time of year. The whole for drainage was already in the bottom and he just inserted a tomato plant down through the whole so it came out the bottom and we hung it. We had tons of cherry tomatoes. So we will be using the same procedure this year with other veggies. Because its hanging from hooks on our fence the animals can't get to it, and it is a space saver.
Good Luck and happy planting
Comment from Pat johnson on May 6, 2009
A fellow that works at a nursery here in OK, said he has two of the topsy turvy plants and they are growing well and already have fruit on them.
Comment from James K SMITH on May 6, 2009
I'm trying one for the first time and thusfar have a healthy tomatoe plant, loaded with blossoms. It get's hot here in AZ and the soil (sand & Rock) leave a lot to be desired for Vegies. Peg N. I think the paper might work for you but a sponge with a cut in it will work better. Joann R., I find it interesting that your hanging them on the fence. I already had some hooks, left from previous owners, on our patio wall, so hung our new planter there. A precaution to those who may get some wind or routine breezes; Don't hang to close to a structure. The wind &/or reflective heat from the patio have caused one side to burn or rub off on the wall. Other than that it's great, I don't think you can over water because the hole in the bottom drains excess water but keeps the soil above moist, if the top is kept partially covered.
Comment from Steve Pond on May 17, 2009
The planters work fine, the only trouble is any vines growing longer than four to six feet will be on the floor depending on how high you hang it.
Registered users can add comments.
Registration is free, and just takes a moment.
Login or Register.