Snow? So Grow! Part 1

It's time to start vegetable seeds indoors, especially if you want to transplant cool season veggies like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and cabbage outside in a few weeks.  Read my latest column on seeds and reading a seed packet first - Denver Post March 7, 2015 Punch List.  Then check the chart below for windows to sow indoors or direct seed outside. 

Some cool-season seeds like lettuce, spinach, and arugula are just better directly sown in the ground when the weather and soil conditions are right (March through early May). They are such quick growers there's no need to start them by seed indoors.  If you have cold frames or similar to get started earlier, then you know what to do (don't forget to send me photos of your early lettuces please).  It's much too early to plant warm-season crops outside, but it's time to start peppers and eggplant by seed indoors, they can take up to 8 weeks to fully grow into transplant size.  I'll post a chart for flower seeds shortly, so please check back.

Vegetable Planting Calendar for the Colorado Front Range

Add at least 2 weeks for higher altitudes

For super earlier spring planting (using Tunnels, Cloches, Cold Frames), move up all dates accordingly

CROP – COOL SEASON DAYS TO MATURITY START SEEDS INDOORS PLANT SEEDS IN THE GROUND PLANT TRANSPLANTS OUTSIDE Arugula 30 April 15-June 1 Asparagus Perennial Plant root crowns April 15 to May 15 Beets 60-65 May 1-May 15 Broccoli 70 March 1-Mar15 April 1-May 15 Brussels Sprouts 80-95 March 1-Mar15 April 1-May 15 Cabbage 60-70 March 1-Mar15 April 1-May 15 Carrots 55-75 May 1-May 15 Cauliflower 50-55 March 1-Mar15 April 1-May 15 Cilantro 55-65 March 1-Mar30 May 1- May 15 May 1 -  May 15 Chard-Swiss 50 April 15-July 15 Celery 85-110 Fall planted best Chinese (Napa) Cabbage 48-55 April 15-April30 May 15-June 1 Chives Onion Perennial May 15-Sept. 15 Chives Garlic Perennial May 15-Sept. 15 Collards 50-55 April 15-May15 Garlic Best planted in Fall Horseradish Perennial May 15-June 15 Kale, Mustard Greens 50-55 April 15-May15 Kohlrabi 55 April 15-May15 Lettuce Leaf 40-45 April 15-May15 Lettuce Head 70-80 April 15-May15 Onion Bulb 100 April 15-May15 Onion Bunching 60-80 April 15-May15 Parsley 75 March 1-Mar30 May 1-May 15 May 1 – May 15 Parsnips 85-120 April 15-May15 Peas – shell and snap 50-65 April 15-May15 Peas Edible Podded - snow 60 Potato Tubers 80-120 April 15-May15 “New” Potatoes 50-60 days April 15-May15 Radishes 20-30 April 15-May15 Rhubarb Perennial May 1 –June 15 Rutabaga 90-95 Early August Spinach 30-50 April 15-May15 Turnip 40-75 April 15-May15 CROP – WARM SEASON DAYS TO MATURITY START SEEDS INDOORS PLANT SEEDS IN THE GROUND PLANT TRANSPLANTS OUTSIDE Basil 60-85 April 15-May 15 June 1-July 15 June 1 – August 15 Beans, Bush 45-50 May20-July  15 Beans, Pole 60-65 May 20-June 30 Corn, Sweet 65-80 May 20-June 15 Cucumber Slicing 48-72 May 20-June 15 Cucumber Pickling 58-58 May 20-July 1 Eggplant 60-80 March 15- April 10 May 20-June 10 Cantaloupe 85-120 April 15-May1 May 20-June 10 May 20-June 10 Okra 55-65 April 15-20 June 10-July 15 June 10-July 15 New Zealand Spinach 50-60 May 20-July 15 Pepper 70-80 March 1- April 10 May 20-June 10 Pumpkin 95-110 April 15-May 1 May 20-June 5 May 20-June 5 Squash Summer 55-65 April 15-May 1 May 20-July 15 May 20-June 10 Squash Winter 55-105 April 15-May 1 May 20-June 10 May 20-June 10 Tomato 60-85 March 15- April 10 May 20-June 20 Tomatillos 75-100 March 15- April 10 May 20-June 10 Watermelon 75-100 April 5-15 May 20-June 10 Document by Betty Cahill, http://gardenpunchlist.blogspot.com/