rule of thumb or what I do for normal plantings: toms peps, egg plant last frost date minus 6-8 weeks broc and cabbage 12-14 before last frost date. In my area, we don't set out toms or peps before mothers day broc and cabbage 15-21 of April of course your area will be different

12-14 weeks before last frost date?? That is now... that doesn't seem right. Do they grow THAT slow? It is doubtful I will be able to put anything in the ground in March; the ground will be unworkable. Seed starting dates based on transplant date rather than last frost date would probably be a little more helpful for me.

Peppers can be started 8 weeks before you plan to plant out. Tomatoes and eggplants 6-8 weeks. Cabbage and broccoli about a month before planting and these are transplanted prior to your average last frost date (when depends on the weather).

I didn't have success with artichokes last year. I'm certain that I started them too late and the seedlings weren't large enough before I attempted to vernalize them. Probably best to start them now so the plants get some size to them and then transplant prior to your last frost date so they get vernalized.

Rodney

Thanks Rodney, that's what pretty much what I was thinking.

I don't want to start them too early and wind up with rootbound, leggy transplants. I know the peppers and eggplants can get rootbound (the transplants I bought last year were), tomatoes are less of a concern, what about the cabbage and broc, should I be concerned about them getting rootbound? I was going to start my peppers and eggplants straight in the larger pots I will be transplanting them from... no point in transplanting them twice, right? What size pot would you recommend?

Also I have seen recs for chemical ferts while in pots... what do you use may I ask?

Thanks!

MY cab and broc will be in april for my zone about 4 weeks before last frost. toms and peppers will go out at last frost date. I will be planting cabs and broc around Feb 1 and toms and peps around March 1-10. but I am in 5a Zone. If you want dates to your zone google will give you more info than you can read.

Google is actually not that helpful for indoor seed starting dates. It's all transplant or direct sow dates.

I start the peppers and toms indoors in cell packs and repot them a couple times when necessary. Starting them in cell packs saves me space indoors. While they are inside they are kept under a 4 foot flourescent shoplight with the bulbs almost touching the leaves. I get the plants outside in a greenhouse during the day as soon as I can. When it's time to plant in the garden they are in 16 ounce cups.

I occasionally fertilize with liquid Miracle-Gro at half strength with a little bit of epsom salt. Obviously not organic but it's the only time I use the stuff and I tend to use it sparingly.

Yes, you should be concerned about the brassicas becoming rootbound and/or overly mature. They might not grow/produce well if they do.

Rodney

This post was edited by theforgottenone1013 on Thu, Jan 22, 15 at 21:40

Peter, this site should be gold. Just punch in your last frost date in the field at the top, and instant data flows your way! :-D

~Eric

Here is a link that might be useful: Seed starting chart

Thanks! That's pretty cool.

It's telling me to put out peppers and eggplants 2 weeks after the last frost, which is a bad idea. It is still way too cold, soil and night temps. I will adjust accordingly.

Most of WV is Z6, and WV Extension's famously wonderful garden calendar is now online as a downloadable PDF. Or, you can check the month that interests you online, and review the task list. In my experience the Calendar's planting dates are spot on.

Here is a link that might be useful: WV Garden Calendar

I start broccoli and any cabbage on March 16. I start tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant on March 28. I start some early watermelons on April 17 and the rest of the melons April 28. Onions are set out on March 31. Sweetpotatoes on May 17. White potatoes April 14