Plant tomato seedlings in the garden 4 weeks after the last frost. Sow tomato seeds indoors 6 to 10 weeks before setting seedlings in the garden. The garden soil temperature for setting out transplants should be at least 60°F (16°C). Tomatoes can be set in the garden sooner if they are protected from the cold
Plant pepper seedlings in the garden 2 to 3 weeks after the last frost in spring. Start pepper seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before setting transplants in the garden. Don’t set out pepper seedlings until the average night temperatures are 55°F (13°C). You can set pepper seedlings in the garden earlier if they are
Start eggplant seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before setting seedlings in the garden. Transplant eggplant seedlings to the garden 2 to 3 weeks after the last frost. Eggplant seeds germinate in about 10 days. Eggplants grow best in average temperatures between 70° and 85°F (21-29°C). Grow long-season varieties in regions with hot summers. Grow
Plant broad beans, also called fava beans, directly in the garden 4 to 7 weeks before the last frost in spring. Sow broad beans as soon as the soil can be worked for harvest before the weather warms. Broad beans are a cool-season crop that grows best in temperatures ranging from 60° to 65°F (15-18°C)
Mustard is a cool-season crop. Mustard matures in 30 to 50 days so time the planting for harvest when the average temperature is around 60° to 65°F (16°-18°C). Mustard bolts easily so it is often grown for autumn harvest, but it can be grown as a spring crop where spring weather tends to stay cool.
Collards are a hardy cool-weather crop. It can be grown in early spring and in mid to late autumn. Sow collards seeds in the garden 3 to 4 weeks before the last frost. Start transplants 6 to 8 weeks before setting out in the garden. Transplants can be set in the garden 4 weeks before
Leeks are generally classified according to their main season of maturity—in other words, how quickly a variety reaches harvest stage. Planting times roughly correspond to harvest times although there is some overlap. There are early, mid-season, and late-season leeks. Early varieties planted in spring will be ready in summer or autumn; mid-season varieties planted in
The shallot is a small onion of the multiplier type. Its bulbs have a more delicate flavor than most onions. Shallots add a distinctive, complex flavor to savory dishes. Shallots can be grown from seed or sets (small shallots). Plant sets 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost. Sow seeds indoors 4 to 6
Radishes grow best in the cooler time of the year. Most are hardy to spring and autumn chills; a few varieties can withstand the summer heat. Sow seeds for small early varieties 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost. Plant midseason or summer varieties in mid to late spring. Late varieties—called winter radishes—should be
Endive and escarole are cool-season crops. They can be grown in early spring and in fall. Sow endive and escarole seeds directly in the garden 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost in spring. To set out transplants start seeds indoors 4 to 5 weeks before transplanting. Set transplants in the garden 4 weeks
