# Seed Starting Calendar — SeedVault Market
*Based on average last spring frost date. Adjust earlier for warmer zones, later for colder.*
**Find your zone:** planthardiness.ars.usda.gov
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## FEBRUARY (Start Indoors)
**8–10 weeks before last frost**
| Seed | Start Indoors | Transplant Out | Notes |
|------|---------------|----------------|-------|
| Jalapeño Peppers | ✓ | After last frost | Slow starter, keep warm (78–85°F) |
| California Wonder Peppers | ✓ | After last frost | Same as jalapeño |
| Roma Tomatoes | ✓ | 6 wks before last frost | Pinch suckers after first fruit set |
| Celery (Utah) | ✓ | After last frost | Long season — start early, transplant when 4–6" tall |
| Brussels Sprouts | ✓ | 4 wks before last frost | Need full season, best in cool fall weather |
> **Tip:** Peppers need heat mats. Tomatoes don't. If starting both, put peppers on the mat and tomatoes on the shelf above.
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## MARCH (Start Indoors)
**6–8 weeks before last frost**
| Seed | Start Indoors | Transplant Out | Notes |
|------|---------------|----------------|-------|
| Roma Tomatoes | ✓ | 6 wks before last frost | Last call for tomato starts |
| Basil (Large Leaf) | ✓ | After last frost | Wait until soil is warm — basil hates cold |
| Lettuce (Butter Crunch) | ✓ | 4 wks before last frost | Or direct sow now in mild climates |
| Watermelon (Crimson Sweet) | ✓ | 2 wks after last frost | Start in peat pots — transplant carefully |
| Cucumbers (Pickling) | ✓ | 2 wks after last frost | Last indoor start — otherwise direct sow |
| Zucchini (Dark Green) | ✓ | 2 wks after last frost | Big seeds, easy to start. 1–2 per cell |
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## APRIL (Start Indoors + Direct Sow)
**Last frost approaching**
**Start Indoors (2–4 weeks before last frost):**
| Seed | Notes |
|------|-------|
| Zucchini (Dark Green) | Last call indoor |
| Pickling Cucumbers | Last call indoor |
| Red Russian Kale | Or direct sow in Zone 6+ |
| Parsley | Slow starter, good to get a head start indoors |
| Coriander (Cilantro) | Start fresh — cilantro bolts fast in heat |
**Direct Sow (after last frost):**
| Seed | Notes |
|------|-------|
| Provider Green Bush Beans | Soil must be 60°F+. Direct sow only — beans hate root disturbance |
| Sugar Beets | Sow 1" deep, thin to 3" apart |
| Bulls Blood Beets | Same as sugar beets |
| Snowball Turnips | Fast grower — ready in 50–60 days |
| Scarlett Nantes Carrots | Sow ¼" deep in loose soil |
| Sugar Lace Snap Peas | Can sow 2–4 weeks before last frost in Zone 5+ |
| Yellow Dent Corn | Sow when soil reaches 60°F. Plant in blocks for wind pollination |
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## MAY (Direct Sow + Transplant)
**Most zones: last frost has passed**
| Seed | Method | Notes |
|------|--------|-------|
| Transplant tomatoes, peppers, celery, brassicas | Transplant | Harden off 1 week before planting out |
| White Bunching Onion | Direct sow | Sow now, harvest in fall or overwinter |
| Catnip | Direct sow | Self-seeds aggressively. One plant is enough. |
| Luffa Sponge Gourd | Direct sow | Needs trellis and long season. Zone 4+ outdoor only. |
| Jack-o-Lantern Pumpkin | Direct sow | Large seeds. Space 6' apart. |
| Crimson Sweet Watermelon | Direct sow | If not transplanted. Needs warm soil. |
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## JUNE (Succession Planting + Summer Crops)
**Second round for continuous harvest**
| Seed | Method | Notes |
|------|--------|-------|
| Provider Green Bush Beans | Direct sow | Plant every 2 weeks for continuous harvest through August |
| Sugar Beets | Direct sow | Second planting for fall harvest |
| Bulls Blood Beets | Direct sow | Same — fall beets are sweeter |
| Scarlett Nantes Carrots | Direct sow | August–September harvest |
| Snowball Turnips | Direct sow | Fast second crop |
| Coriander (Cilantro) | Direct sow | Spring plants bolted — this is your summer crop |
| Parsley | Direct sow | Slow but worth it for fall/winter use |
| Butter Crunch Lettuce | Direct sow | Shade-tolerant. Good summer plant |
| Red Russian Kale | Direct sow | Second planting for fall/winter harvest |
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## JULY–AUGUST (Fall Garden Planning)
**Start your second harvest**
| Seed | When | Notes |
|------|------|-------|
| Red Russian Kale | Early Aug | Overwinters in Zone 5+. Sweetens after frost |
| Butter Crunch Lettuce | Early Aug | Shade = good summer lettuce. Fall crop = better |
| Sugar Beets | Early Aug | Harvest before hard freeze |
| Bulls Blood Beets | Early Aug | Same |
| Snowball Turnips | Mid Aug | Fast — ready before freeze |
| Scarlet Nantes Carrots | Mid Aug | Leave in ground, they store in the soil |
| White Bunching Onion | Mid Aug | Overwinters, harvest early spring |
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## TREE SEEDS (Year-Round Planning)
| Seed | Plant When | Notes |
|------|-----------|-------|
| Japanese Maple | Spring or Fall | Fall planting preferred. Needs shade in summer heat |
| Red Cedar | Fall | Plant bare-root in dormant season |
| Southern Yew | Spring | Slow grower. Good hedge plant |
| Chinese Elm | Spring | Hardy, drought-tolerant once established |
> **Tree seeds:** Plant in location where they'll stay. Most don't transplant well once roots establish.
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## QUICK REFERENCE — START METHOD
**Start Indoors (4–10 weeks before last frost):**
Roma Tomatoes • Jalapeño Peppers • California Wonder Peppers • Large Leaf Basil • Celery • Brussels Sprouts
**Direct Sow (after last frost):**
Sugar Beets • Bulls Blood Beets • Snowball Turnips • Scarlett Nantes Carrots • Provider Green Bush Beans • Sugar Lace Snap Peas • Yellow Dent Corn • White Bunching Onion • Catnip • Coriander (Cilantro) • Parsley • Butter Crunch Lettuce • Red Russian Kale • Pickling Cucumbers • Dark Green Zucchini • Jack-o-Lantern Pumpkin • Crimson Sweet Watermelon • Luffa Sponge Gourd
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*Made with care by [SeedVault Market](https://seedvault.market) — Heirloom seeds for real food sovereignty.*