When to Plant by Zone and What to Start Growing First

First you need to determine what zone you live in. you can get the latest map here: http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/#

Once you know what zone you live in, you can find your Last Spring Frost and First Fall Frost.

http://www.food-skills-for-self-sufficiency.com credited for the chart

If you live in the northern portion of a zone, or the "a" sub-zone, you should figure that your last spring frost will occur later in the date range provided above and that your first fall frost will occur earlier in the date range. If you are in the southern portion, or the "b" sub zone, then the opposite is true.

For example I am in Zone 7b so I can guess that I should be able to plant my hardier starts outside around the middle of March . If I was in Zone 7a I would wait until closer to the end of March or the 1st of April.  (check the zoning guide on your seed packets, it may not be freezing but it may still be to cold for some plants)

Note: zones are averages so they are never completely accurate. Give yourself a couple weeks leeway.

I start my seeds a month or so before I plan to plant them outside. (again check your seed packets). Depending on where you plan to germinate your seeds a Grow Light System can come in handy. You can also use the smaller less expensive Germination Station with Heat Mat . Both work very well. If nothing else, get some Starting Plugs , line in a tray and cover with plastic wrap.


Here is a list of some of the things you can plant in early Spring:

• Radishes -  A cool season crop. They can be planted as soon as the ground can be worked and the fear of heavy frost is gone. sow seeds once a week until late Spring for continued crops. Warmer temperatures cause radishes to flower (bolt) and roots can become soft.
• Lettuce, Spinach, Collards, and Kale - Are all cool weather plants. Hot weather can cause them to go to seed and gives them a more bitter taste. My favorite kale is Toscano Organic Heirloom Seeds. 
• Onions - Plant as soon as the ground can be worked in the spring. Living in the Northwest, Walla Walla Sweets are my favorite onion.
• Peas - Garden, snow, and snap peas can be planted as soon as the ground can be worked in spring. Crops  mature in about 60 to 70 days.
• Carrots, Beets and Swiss Chard - Plant from early Spring to late Summer.
• Potatoes - Plant  as soon as the ground can be worked in Spring. Large tubers should be cut into pieces, each containing 1 or 2 eyes. Smaller potatoes can be planted whole.

Add some Pansies to your yard. This Giant Blend is one of my favorite heirlooms. They will do well in the cooler weather.