Cool Season Starts (lettuce, spinach, kale, collards, kohlrabi)
These crops can handle cold temperatures so they can be planted well before your last frost date. Once we get to the middle of February here in the Missouri Ozarks, we like to start planting seeds. If you have an unheated greenhouse or coldframe you can often start even earlier depending on the weather forecast.
Very early plants will grow slowly until the days start lengthen and you may lose some to the cold. This is why we recommend starting plenty of new seeds each week during February and March so that you always have extras. Don’t be afraid to cut down plants that are struggling and replace them. They make excellent compost. Once the weather starts to cooperate you can begin planting then in the garden and make space for your warm season starts.
Warm Season Crops (squash, pumpkin, melon, cucumber, tomato, pepper, eggplant)
These crops will not survive freezing temperatures and must be planted when there is no longer any risk of frost. Last frost will vary depending on your climate and is never 100% predictable. For most regions, historic weather data is available on the NOAA website.
In our area, Mother’s Day is considered the traditional planting day and is usually safe. We always plan on having starts ready to plant by the middle of May by sowing seeds at the beginning of April, but keep plenty of reserves ready until early June just in case.
Using the same strategy, start a few of each kind every week from April 1st through the middle of May. Once the weather warms up, you can start sowing those seeds directly in the garden each week instead.
Transplanting
Make sure each plant has enough space. Check our crop reference page if you are unsure about spacing.
- When you are ready to plant your start, use your garden trowel or hori-hori to dig a small hole big enough to fit the entire contents of the pot.
- Carefully turn the pot over and catch the root ball as it slides out. Do not pull on the plant as this will often damage it. Free it by gently squeezing the pot to free the roots and soil.
- Gently hold the soil and root ball together and place it in the hole.
- Smooth the loose soil back into the hole around the root ball. Do not press down or compact the soil. Starts should be planted as deep as possible without burying any of the leaves.
