Growing seeds too early

10 years ago

I may have gotten a little too anxious. I am in zone 5b. I believe our last frost is usually end of April. Last week I started my seeds inside (using heating mats). I have a lot of sprouts already and have moved them to a light. I have lots of greens as well as squash and green beans. Both the squash and green beans are getting big. Looking at the seed packets, the planting times all seemed basically the same (6-8 wks before frost). Now that I'm looking online, however, I see that beans and squash should not be planted inside until April. What is the issue with planting too early?

Featured Answer

theforgottenone1013 (SE MI zone 5b/6a)

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

First, be sure to check when your average last frost date actually is. April seems way too early for a zone 5 (my last frost date is in mid May).

What's the problem with starting too early? You end up with plants that become rootbound and stressed and when planted in the garden don't transplant well and grow poorly the rest of the season. You don't mention your general location but beans and squash almost always do best when direct seeded in the garden after your last average frost date. If you want to start them ahead of time then do so no earlier than about 3-4 weeks before you plan to plant them outside.

Rodney

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Comments (8)

rgreen48
10 years ago
You could consider building frost protection. Could be as complicated as high tunnels, or as simple as heavy row covers. However, this is often more expensive for the home gardener than it's worth. The simplest, most cost effective option? Let them grow, but don't put your hopes in them. Instead, plant more seeds later on and chalk it up to a learning curve for those warmer weather crops.
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HereWeGoAgain (Z9)
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for the feedback! I'm in No. Indiana, right on the MI border so maybe it is closer to May (I am a new gardener and a Southern transplant up here, so not really familiar with these zones and what they mean). I'm glad I asked this question early on, so didn't waste too much time, space, and effort trying to grow these. I will just wait until I get my outside garden ready and plant the rest of the seeds out there.
GardenHo_MI_Z5
10 years ago
I was anxious too...although a little more I think, as I started mine a month ago lol. Started perennials though, with hopes that they will grow fine in my sunroom until ready to plant (fingers crossed)!
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
I'm in zone 7 and our average last frost date is March 15. Call your local extension office to find out what yours is.
Anna S
10 years ago
I have not planted too early inside yet. But I'm Zone 5, and my last frost date is late April/first week of May. I am guessing, but I think you will be OK as long as you don't plant outside too early. Now, depending on the size of container you started in, you may need to transplant them into a larger container depending on how they grow.

My friends have a greenhouse and start all their plants way early in large containers so by the time they are transplanting into the yard they are pretty much full size plants and they don't have too much issue with it.
Lily B
10 years ago
you don't typically need to start squash and beans indoors.. they can be direct sow when the weather turns warm. What's the mature date on yours? I never had to start squash and beans indoors and I live in North eastern PA.
digdirt2
10 years ago
My friends have a greenhouse and start all their plants way early in large containers so by the time they are transplanting into the yard they are pretty much full size plants and they don't have too much issue with it.

Then they have been quite lucky. With the exception of perennials and a couple of annul flower exceptions, no experienced greenhouse grower would recommend such a practice.

Dave