When is the best time to start seed?

Pamelambie

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I live in Pennsylvania, I'd love to start some plants for my garden from seed this year (as opposed to buying plants like the previous 4 years). When should I start seed? Any recommendations on what to use as a small greenhouse, too? Our indoor space is... Tight lol
 

GKW

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Check out this website. Select your region / zone and then look at the month by month sowing / seeding / planting tips.

https://www.gardenate.com/

I signed up to this site and get their monthly reminders on what to start and how. Works well.
 

JPAT

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I use the clyde's garden planner and the farmer's almanac as a quick reference. But basically I just find my last frost date and count backwards from there. I like to do a run of cold weather crops super early... sometimes as much as a month before and then transfer them out under cover during the cold. My heat loving plants I stick pretty close to the recommended weeks or play it on the safer side and start them "just on time".
 

Pamelambie

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I use the clyde's garden planner and the farmer's almanac as a quick reference. But basically I just find my last frost date and count backwards from there. I like to do a run of cold weather crops super early... sometimes as much as a month before and then transfer them out under cover during the cold. My heat loving plants I stick pretty close to the recommended weeks or play it on the safer side and start them "just on time".

What do you cover them with? And is it covered all the time?
 

Karla

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I live in Pennsylvania, I'd love to start some plants for my garden from seed this year (as opposed to buying plants like the previous 4 years). When should I start seed? Any recommendations on what to use as a small greenhouse, too? Our indoor space is... Tight lol
I live in a small house to so what I did was put my seed in their pots then set the pot into a clear plastic bag and twist tied it shut after watering. This acts as a miniture green house and is also a great way to root cuttings. I use a big enough pot I can put several seeds in then thin later.
 

JPAT

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What do you cover them with? And is it covered all the time?
I use a agrobon type fleece material as a floating row cover suspended over the plants with hoops. The material is breathable and can still let rain penetrate at a very slow rate. If snow is expected I will cover with my greenhouse plastic to keep the weight off the plants. I keep them covered until frost dangers are over. Then I can repurpose the row cover for a really susceptable crop to pests like my squash.
 

JPAT

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I live in a small house to so what I did was put my seed in their pots then set the pot into a clear plastic bag and twist tied it shut after watering. This acts as a miniture green house and is also a great way to root cuttings. I use a big enough pot I can put several seeds in then thin later.
Great idea. This is a take on winter sowing that I hadn't thought of!
 

Ben_Stillson

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Check out this website. Select your region / zone and then look at the month by month sowing / seeding / planting tips.



I signed up to this site and get their monthly reminders on what to start and how. Works well.
Wow! So glad that I found this. Thanks so much
 

TarynS.

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I love winter sowing! It’s a great option for hardy perennials! It lets the seeds naturally stratify (the coating on the seed cracks with the natural freeze/thaw cycles in winter). Other than that you need to look at your last frost date of the year in your zone. Then, 6 weeks before that date you can start seeds inside or inside a good greenhouse.


I live in Pennsylvania, I'd love to start some plants for my garden from seed this year (as opposed to buying plants like the previous 4 years). When should I start seed? Any recommendations on what to use as a small greenhouse, too? Our indoor space is... Tight lol
 

LisaN

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OMG!! Just watched his video and now I want one. What an amazing gadget, now if only there was an Australian one![/QUOTE
 

Karla

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I love winter sowing! It’s a great option for hardy perennials! It lets the seeds naturally stratify (the coating on the seed cracks with the natural freeze/thaw cycles in winter). Other than that you need to look at your last frost date of the year in your zone. Then, 6 weeks before that date you can start seeds inside or inside a good greenhouse.
A lot of times it will tell you on the back of seed packs when to sow indoors or if it is a direct planting. I bought one of those really small green houses with the plastic cover and put it in my dining room. Sort of tight but figure I could manage for a couple of months. I did find that using a heat mat did help the seeds germinate and if you get the seed starter kits with the plastic lids they are mini green houses you can sit anywhere.
 

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Karla

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I have been blessed this year. I have added two sugar maples, 2 cherries and 2 Hazel nut trees to my list of fruit trees. From the seeds started in my house I have cabbage, spinach, peas, carrots, bell peppers, 4 variety of tomato’s, lettuces and herbs. Will be setting Huckleberries, ground cherries, gooseberries and elderberries tomorrow.
I also have two types of garlic, some shallots, purple and yellow onions.
 

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JoshW

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Check out this website. Select your region / zone and then look at the month by month sowing / seeding / planting tips.

https://www.gardenate.com/

I signed up to this site and get their monthly reminders on what to start and how. Works well.

I bought their app on Google Play for $1.09 AUD, very happy with it. I didn't know they had a site, I'll check it out. Thanks for sharing
 

Mary Playford

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I have been blessed this year. I have added two sugar maples, 2 cherries and 2 Hazel nut trees to my list of fruit trees. From the seeds started in my house I have cabbage, spinach, peas, carrots, bell peppers, 4 variety of tomato’s, lettuces and herbs. Will be setting Huckleberries, ground cherries, gooseberries and elderberries tomorrow.
I also have two types of garlic, some shallots, purple and yellow onions.
Loved the pics. One day, I will add hazelnuts to my list....yum. I got some garlics and will put them in this weekend.
 

Karla

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I live in Pennsylvania, I'd love to start some plants for my garden from seed this year (as opposed to buying plants like the previous 4 years). When should I start seed? Any recommendations on what to use as a small greenhouse, too? Our indoor space is... Tight lol
I have a book that is great.It is: The Kitchen Gardner by Alan Buckingham. It literally takes you month by month and tells you what to plant, what to start inside, when to harvest...
 

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