Seed starting vegetables is entirely optional because they are widely available at garden centres. However, if you start your own veggies from seed you can save a ton of money, grow exactly the varieties you want to grow, and have a built-in guard against seasonal depression.
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of going to your seed starting setup when it’s storming out and feeling like spring is truly coming!
In this blog post, I’ve included a selection of some common vegetables and herbs you can start from seed, organized by the week they should be started!
Want my cut flower seed starting schedule? Check it out here!
Figuring Out Your Seed Starting Weeks
NOTE: If you’re coming from my cut flower seed starting post, this is the same spiel. Feel free to skip to the lists below!
Ever feel confused about when to start your seeds? Here are the three simple steps to figuring out your seed starting weeks:
1. Find Your Last Frost Date
- Search “last frost date” plus your city.
2. Count Backwards to Find Seed Starting Weeks
- Your last frost date = Week 0
- One week before = Week 1
- Two weeks before = Week 2
- Keep counting back until Week 12—that’s when seed starting begins!
3. Plan Your Seed Starting Schedule
- Use the schedule below to pick the seeds you want to start
- Write down what seeds to start when in your garden planner
Additional Tips
You might notice that there are very few odd weeks in my seed starting schedule because many seeds have a flexible start time. You can often start Week 12 seeds in Week 11, Week 10 seeds in Week 9, and so on.
I suggest using some common sense the closer you get to Week 0. The temperatures might not be ideal that year for planting out, so your Week 0 might more practically be a week earlier or later. The Week 0 on your calendar is simply what you’re aiming for–we don’t control the weather.
Another tip I always give is to write your seed starting plan in your day planner as well as your garden planner. Don’t just assume you’ll remember to open your garden planner when it’s time to get started!
Vegetables & Herbs to Start in…
Week 12+
If you feel like this is too soon and you won’t remember to water your seedlings, don’t start seeds this soon. Just get your starts at a garden centre and wait until Week 8 when everyone else is starting their seeds!
- ginger
- onions from seed
- rosemary
- strawberries
- turmeric
Growing onions from seed gives you the benefit of onion trimmings!
Week 12
Start these plants from Week 12 to Week 11!
- artichokes
- brussels sprouts
- celery
- onions from seed
- peppers
- rosemary
Related: 5 Secrets to Growing Better Peppers from Seed
Week 10
Start these plants from Week 10 to Week 9!
- artichokes
- celeriac
- celery
- chive
- eggplant
- leeks
- onions from seed
- parsley
- peppers
Chives have the added bonus of beautiful, pollinator-friendly blooms!
Week 8
Week 8 can be too early and Week 6 can be too late for tomatoes. Week 7 is the perfect timing for cold climate gardeners.
- basil
- celery
- eggplant
- oregano
- parsley
- peppers
- tomatoes
Related: How to Pick the Best Tomato Varieties for Your Garden
Week 6
Start these plants from Week 6 to Week 5!
- basil
- broccoli
- cabbage
- cauliflower
- lettuce
- tomatoes
Related: Take a Bite Out of Your Grocery Shopping Budget with these Lettuce Growing Strategies
Week 4
Start these plants from Week 4 to Week 3!
- broccoli
- cabbage
- cauliflower
- cucumbers
- kale
- lettuce
- melons
- nasturtiums
- pumpkin
- squash
Related: The Best Pumpkin Varieties (for Any Occasion)
Direct Sow
For pumpkins, zucchini, cucumbers, or any type of squash, I start half of my seeds indoors in Week 3 and direct sow the other half. One method always seems to work better each year, but it’s never consistent which one.
- beans
- beets
- carrots
- corn
- cucumbers
- kale
- lettuce
- nasturtiums
- peas
- potatoes
- pumpkins
- swiss chard
If you liked this blog post, find me on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram for more cold-climate vegetable gardening tips, delicious recipes, and cut flower goodness! I also make weekly videos over on my YouTube channel. I hope to see you there!
HAVE YOU TRIED SEED STARTING, ONLY TO BE LEFT WITH STRETCHED-OUT SEEDLINGS AND DEAD PLANTS?
You’re not a bad gardener–you just need a little know-how. For the price of a few seed packets, you can stop wasting time and money and start growing seedlings that actually live, and you get to harvest. Don’t miss out on another growing season. Get your copy of Seed Starting Success now (videos included)!
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