spring planting time line

I like to get a list of when and what to plant in the spring. Another way of working on the garden when its still the middle of winter. Also, I can get an idea of when I need to have the soil and pots and tables ready.

This year I'll use my fish tank light again as a good area to keep the soil warm for sprouting (>75F). It worked well for peppers last year. This year I'll plant peppers, tomatoes and squashes (cukes, zukes, watermelons, pumpkins) indoors.

Spring planting timeline:

February 15: Winter sowing in plastic bottles outside of perennial flowers: black-eyed Susan, daisy, delphinium, hollyhock and coneflower. Also experiment with this method of planting onions and dill by sowing small amounts of seed.
March 5-10: Sow kale, broccoli and lettuce seed indoors.
March 15: Sow pepper seed indoors.
March 20: Sow seed in home garden for peas and fava beans.
April 5: Sow tomato seed indoors.
April 10-15: Sow in home garden spinach, arugula, and radish seeds. Also, set out kale, broccoli and lettuce transplants at home.
April 15: Sow cucumber seed indoors.
April 20-30: Transplant pepper and tomato seedlings to larger pots indoors. Sow seed in home garden for spinach, more lettuce and peas. Sow beets, watermelon, pumpkin and summer squash seed indoors. In community garden, plant potatoes and onion sets, sow seed for radish, onions, carrots, parsnips and potatoes.
Our last frost date in my home garden is usually May 5-10. In the wide open community plot the last frost is said to be May 31!
May 15-20: Sow seed in home garden for beans and sunflowers. Set out dahlia tubers. Set out plants for tomatoes and cucumbers.
May 30: Set out peppers and eggplants in home garden (store-bought eggplant seedlings and home grown peppers). In community plot, sow soybeans, set out watermelon, pumpkin, and summer squash.

Tomato culture (from Johnny’s): Sow in flats, using soilless peat-based mix (NOT potting soil). 5-6 weeks before plants can be transplanted outside. Keep temperature of the starting mix at 75-90°F. When first true leaves develop, transplant into plug trays or 3-4" pots. Grow seedlings at 60-70°F. Fertilize with fish emulsion or a soluble complete fertilizer.

Cucumber culture: Sow indoors in 2" plug trays, 3 seeds/cell, 4-5 weeks before weather is warm and settled. Keep temp. above 70°F day and 60°F night. Transplant 12" apart in rows 5-6' apart. Do not disturb roots when transplanting.

Watermelons, pumpkin and summer squash: Sow indoors in 2-3" pots or cell-type containers one month before transplanting outdoors. Plant 3 seeds per cell, about 1/4" deep. Keep temperature 80-90°F until germination. Handle young plants carefully and never let the soil dry out. Grow seedlings at 75°F. Reduce water and temperature for a week to harden seedlings. Do not disturb roots when transplanting.

Sunflowers: Sow directly in garden. Dislikes root disturbance.

S&P