When to Start the Spring Veggie Garden

Q. What can I safely plant outdoors even though our last average frost date is still almost two months away?

A.
This is the perfect time to start working on your cool-season crops. First, you need to know your average last-frost-of-the-season date. Then count backward to know when you can safely sow various vegetable seeds in your area.

Here are general guidelines:

Very hardy vegetables: Sow seeds for spinach, turnips, peas and collards four to six weeks before the frost-free date. That's when you can also plant potato tubers, onion sets, broccoli transplants and asparagus crowns.

Frost-tolerant vegetables: Sow seeds for carrots, radishes, beets and mustard plants two to three weeks before the frost-free date. Put in cauliflower transplants. These crops can tolerate light frosts but are a little more cold-sensitive than the first group.

Keep in mind that frost dates are only approximations. In any given year, the last frost can hit earlier or later, depending on the whims of the weather. And your yard can present a microclimate that's even considerably different than your local average frost date. When a cold snap hits, cover your crops.

As for woody shrubs and trees, you can plant those any time that the ground isn't frozen (or too wet to work).

Good luck and happy gardening!

Next Up

How to Replant an Overwintered Pot in Spring or Summer

So, you left your pot filled with tender perennials or annuals outside all winter? Whoops! Don't worry, it happens. We'll show you how to determine which plants are ready for another growing season and how to replace the dearly departed with new plants.

How to Plan a Vegetable Garden

HGTV can make vegetable garden planning less intimidating with tips on garden design and suggestions on how to choose vegetables to grow.

How to Start a Fall Garden

Plant these fall vegetables in the summer to enjoy a haul of fresh produce when the temperatures cool.

What to Plant in August

It's not too late to plant, even in late summer. You can still grow short-season veggies, herbs and flowers in August from seeds or transplants.

Seven of the Most Common Vegetable Gardening Mistakes

If you’ve made a few of these blunders, don’t get frustrated. Gardening takes practice, patience and the ability to learn from your mistakes.

When to Plant Bulbs

Not sure when to plant spring bulbs? Take the guesswork out of knowing when to plant tulips and a host of other bulbs.

How to Keep Rabbits Out of the Garden Without Harming Them

Fed up with rabbits damaging your garden? Follow these tips on how to stop rabbits from eating plants in your garden.

Best Companion Plants for Cucumbers

Discover companion planting techniques to boost your crop of cucumbers and avoid common pests like cucumber beetles and squash bugs.

Why You Should (and Shouldn't) Apply Fall Mulch

Find out the pros and cons of laying down mulch this fall.

Tips for Edible Gardening in Small Spaces

Make the most of a small garden space by mixing flowers and vegetables in an ornamental edible garden.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

On TV

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.