Vegetable Growing Guide

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How to Grow Vegetables

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In one handy chart, the Almanac Vegetables Growing Guide summarizes when to start seeds indoors and outdoors, the soil temperature needed to germinate, the plant’s hardiness level, when to fertilize, and when to water.

Of course, see the master Planting Calendar for more specific dates by YOUR zip code for all your common vegetables. 

Vegetables Growing Guide

Note: Each of the vegetables listed below links to an individual vegetable plant guide that covers sowing to growing to harvest!

VegetableStart Seeds Indoors (weeks before last spring frost)Start Seeds Outdoors (weeks before or after last spring frost)Minimum Soil Temp. to Germinate (Β°F)Cold HardinessWhen to FertilizeWhen to Water
Beansβ€”Anytime after48–50TenderAfter heavy bloom and set of podsRegularly, from start of pod to set
Beetsβ€”3 before to 3 after39–41Half-hardyAt time of plantingOnly during drought conditions
Broccoli6–82–3 before55–75HardyThree weeks after transplantingOnly during drought conditions
Brussels sprouts6–8β€”55–75HardyThree weeks after transplantingAt transplanting
Cabbage6–81 before to 1 after38–40HardyThree weeks after transplantingTwo to three weeks before harvest
Carrotsβ€”3–5 before39–41Half-hardyPreferably in the fall for the following springOnly during drought conditions
Cauliflower6–81 before to 1after65–75Half-hardyThree weeks after transplantingOnce, three weeks before harvest
Celery6–8β€”60–70TenderAt time of transplantingOnce a week
Cornβ€”2 after46–50TenderWhen eight to ten inches tall, and again when first silk appearsWhen tassels appear and cobs start to swell
Cucumbers2–41–2 after65–70Very tenderOne week after bloom, and again three weeks laterFrequently, especially when fruits form
Lettuce4–61 before to 2 after40–75Half-hardyTwo to three weeks after transplantingOnce a week
Melons2–42 after55–60Very tenderOne week after bloom, and again three weeks laterOnce a week
Onion setsβ€”4 before34–36HardyWhen bulbs begin to swell, and again when plants are one foot tallOnly during drought conditions
Parsnipsβ€”0–3 before55–70HardyOne year before plantingOnly during drought conditions
Peasβ€”4–6 before34–36HardyAfter heavy bloom and set of podsRegularly, from start of pod to set
Peppers8–10β€”70–80Very tenderAfter first fruit-setOnce a week
Potato tubersβ€”0–2 after55–70Half-hardyAt bloom time or time of second hillingRegularly, when tubers start to form
Pumpkins2–41 after55–60TenderJust before vines start to run, when plants are about one foot tallOnly during drought conditions
Radishesβ€”1 before to 1 after39–41HardyBefore spring plantingOnce a week
Spinachβ€”4–6 before55–65HardyWhen plants are one-third grownOnce a week
Squash, summer2–41 after55–60Very tenderJust before vines start to run, when plants are about one foot tallOnly during drought conditions
Squash, winter2–41 after55–60TenderJust before vines start to run, when plants are about one foot tallOnly during drought conditions
Tomatoes6–8β€”50–55TenderTwo weeks before, and after first pickingTwice a week

Ready to plan an amazing vegetable garden? Let’s get to the drawing board. Check out the amazing online Almanac Garden Planner tool!

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana. Read More from Catherine Boeckmann