My new Master Gardener friends asked me to write down when I start seeds and direct sow my veggies. (Zone 7b)
January- winter sow seeds in milk jugs to set outside for winter stratification. This year I am trying flowers from seeds I saved from last season’s garden, plus some herbs. It's too early to winter sow warm season crops; I'd save that for March. I also plant onion sets from : Dixondale Onion Farm
February-Now's the time to plant English peas and hope they finish before hot weather. I also plant potatoes this month. I have a small greenhouse now, but used to start seeds in front of my large kitchen window. I may also try direct-sowing some beets. I love them, but haven’t had much luck in the past. It gets HOT here suddenly in spring and they are a cool season crop. I've had more success in fall.
March- This month I will start seeds for warm season crops, mainly tomatoes and peppers; I also direct-sow lettuce and spinach. I may try some in February also; you never know from year to year how our short spring will go, weather wise.
April-I’m trying to wait until the fifteenth to plant my tomatoes and peppers outside. I’ve plant twice the last two years when a late spring cold snap killed them. I plant yellow squash and zucchini directly in the garden now. I will also plant green beans, corn, and southern peas.
July-plant pumpkins for a fall harvest, and plant sunflowers as well. Wait a month to plant the tiny pumpkins to harvest them Sept./Oct.
August-Start seeds for any fall greens, cabbages, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussel sprouts. Some of these will over-winter and produce in our mild winter months. I start these in the air conditioning, then move them to my screen porch, then to the garden in cooler weather, in Sept.
Sept./Oct.-I direct sow lettuces, turnips, and collards. I also plant garlic for spring harvest, and move my fall seedlings into the garden.
Nov. - Plant garlic to overwinter. Plant only the largest bulbs to get best harvest.
Updated September 2023
