Spring Seed Starting & Planting Schedule

As a farmer in Northern Michigan we are offered a very short growing season and every growing day, seed, plant, and end result of product is very important to all of us.  After many years of farming and battling with Mother Nature to obtain a very defined schedule we feel that we can offer you our best information of dates and strategies for your own successful gardening experience below!

March 15

Start cold weather tolerant seeds for an early planting around the first of May, all these listed plants tolerate frost and need no protection when planted outside.  Cabbage, Broccoli, Kale, Collards Cauliflower, Onions, Lettuce, Brussels Sprouts, and any other cold weather tolerant plants that can be planted out early.

March 31

Start all varieties of Peppers, eggplant, and basil, but do please note that if you are going to continue growing them in a window of your home and not a greenhouse you may consider extending this date one week. This is due to the fact that plants grown in a window may get extremely leggy prior to transplanting outdoors. 

April 15

Start all varieties of Tomatoes, and any Cole Crops such as cabbage, broccoli, kale, and such.  Once again, please note that if you are going to be growing these plants on in a window opposed to a greenhouse you might consider extending this start date out about one week as all the above plants are rapid growers and could become leggy.  

April 20 -May 1

Any time during this period that the garden can be tilled it is a perfect time to plant potatoes, peas, radishes right from seed into the soil.  It is also time to plant your early Cole Crops that you started on March 15 as they will tolerate frost and even a light snow without protection! 

May 20

Any variety of corn can be planted directly into the soil.  Any of your Cole Crop plants started on April 15 can be planted into the garden. 

May 31

This is the trickiest of all for planting dates!  Now is the time to consider planting your tomato and pepper plants out into the garden.  But prior to doing so check the extended forecast for the night time lows. My rule of thumb is to be cautious of any lows less than 45 degrees in the extended forecast as for the fact that as the date nears those lows tend to drop even more into the 30's which could kill tender plants.  Also consider noting when the full moon is around planting time and do plan on a frosty night for that date.  Unfortunately there is no definite answer to the above planting date other than evaluating all the factors that could kill tender vegetation prior to planting out.  If it is possible to cover tender vegetation or put a sprinkler on it during the coldest part of the overnight this could offer protection.