Well the chance of frost has passed, meaning your soil is ready for some action. We have so many options, so here’s a comprehensive (but not totally complete!) list of some seeds that are ready or just about ready to be planted. They’re separated into categories with the average ground temperature best for germination.

Sunflowers: Direct seed as soon as chance of frost has past. Bloom time is late summer into fall. Best ground temperature for germination: 60°-70°
  • Mammoth Sunflower – 110 days to maturity
Spinach: Direct seed as soon as soil can be worked in spring; seed again in the late summer and through early fall. Best ground temperature for germination: 45°-75°
  • Regiment Spinach – 37 days to maturity
  • Giant Winter Spinach – 50 days to maturity
  • High Mowing Mild Mustard Blend – 21 days to maturity
  • Gemstone Greens Blend – 21 days to maturity
Lettuce: Grows best in cool temps and can bolt during hot weather. Best ground temperature for germination: 45°-75° (75° being the ideal temperature)
  • Salad Bowl Lettuce – 28 baby, 50 full size days to maturity
  • High Mowing DMR Blend Lettuce Blend Lettuce – 28 days to maturity
  • Gourmet Blend Lettuce – 28 baby leaf days to maturity
Kale: Sow from early spring into late summer. Best ground temperature for germination: 45+°
  • Red Russian Kale – 21 baby, 50 full days to maturity
  • Lacinato Dinosaur Kale – 35 baby, 65 days to maturity
Fruits & Veggies: Start transplants 4-6 weeks before planting date and plant outside after threat of frost has passed
  • DeCicco Broccoli – 48 days to maturity (Best ground temperature for germination: 45°-85°)
  • Yellow Crookneck Summer Squash – 50 days to maturity (Best ground temperature for germination: 70°)
  • Marketmore 76 Cucumber – 65 days to maturity (Best ground temperature for germination: 63°)
  • Sugar Baby Watermelon – 75 days to maturity (Best ground temperature for germination: 65°-95°)
  • Crimson Sweet Watermelon – 85 days to maturity (Best ground temperature for germination: 65°-95°)
Tomatoes & Peppers: Start seeds 6-8 weeks before planting date (Tomatoes best ground temperature for germination: 65°-85°, Peppers best ground temperature for germination: 70°-95°)
  • San Marzano Paste Tomato – 80 days to maturity
  • Pruden’s Purple Tomato – 72 days to maturity
  • Pink Boar Tomato – 75 days to maturity
  • Goldie Ground Cherry Tomato – 75 days to maturity
  • Amish Paste Tomato – 80 days to maturity
  • Golden California Wonder Sweet Peppers – 60 green, 80 color days to maturity
  • Bangles Blend Sweet Pepper – 60 green, 80 color days to maturity
Root Vegetables: Can tolerate light frosts. Direct seed as soon as soil can be worked in the spring through mid-summer. (Carrot best ground temperature for germination: 80°, Radish & Beets best ground temperature for germination: 40+°)
  • Yaya Carrot – 60 days to maturity
  • Yellowstone Carrot – 70 days to maturity
  • White Satin Carrot – 68 days to maturity
  • French Breakfast Radish – 26 days to maturity
  • Touchstone Gold Beet (grows best in cooler temps!) – 55 days to maturity
  • Shiraz Beet (grows best in cooler temps!) – 60 days to maturity
  • Early Wonder Beet (grows best in cooler temps!) – 20 days green, 60 days to maturity
  • Detroit Dark Red Beet (grows best in cooler temps!) – 28 green, 80 color days to maturity

 

Happy gardening!