Seeds To Start In March And April According To Your Growing Zone
It is time to officially kick off the gardening season for the year! Happy dance!
For most regions in the US, March and April are the months when seedlings can be started indoors and directly sown outdoors.
Starting veggies in your area will depend on your growing zone and your last frost date.
If you are ready to get those seeds to bed, this guide will tell you which seeds to start in March and April according to your growing zone.
Seeds to start in March and April ACCORDING TO YOUR ZONE
I advise that you save the image applicable to your zone to refer to in the future. It is a very handy guide to have each year!
Suggestions may overlap and vary with a week or two, so you should always judge the weather conditions before planting.
Scroll down for your zone and very helpful gardening resources at the end with something exciting you do not want to miss out on!
ZONE 3
Zone 3 is the coldest of all the USDA garden zones and has the shortest growing window for gardening. Your last frost date is around May 31st, and your first fall frost date is around September 1st.
Unfortunately, you'll have to wait a tad longer before putting on the gardening gloves. Most seeds can only be started indoors around May/June and transplanted or directly sown around June-July.
ZONE 4
Zone 4 also has a shorter growing season than most USDA garden zones. It is best to choose vegetable varieties with faster maturing dates. Your last frost date is around May 12th, and your first frost date is around September 21st.
You can start gardening around April!
ZONE 5
Zone 5 has a medium-growing season, and most vegetable varieties will mature before your first fall frost date.
Your last frost date is around April 30th, and your first fall frost date is around October 15th.
You can start to get those seed trays ready in March!
ZONE 6
Zone 6 also has a medium-length growing season, and most vegetable varieties will mature before your first frost date.
Your last frost date is around April 21st, and your first fall frost date around October 17th. Your growing season already kicks off in March (indoors) with a few options!
ZONE 7
Zone 7 has a slightly longer growing season, and most vegetable varieties will have no problem maturing before your first frost date.
With a last frost date of around April 3rd and a first frost date of around November 1st, you have 7 months of gardening time! You can start sowing seeds as early as the end of February.
ZONE 8
Zone 8 has a long growing season with hot summers, and you are lucky to be able to start many plants in February already! Your last frost date is around March 31st, and your first is around November 7th.
ZONE 9
Zone 9 also has a long growing season with hot summers. You can start veggies indoors and outdoors as early as February. Your last frost date is around February 28th, and your first frost date is around November 30th.
gardening resources
What we are planting in 2023 and all your gardening questions answered
Direct sowing in 10 steps & a chart on starting seeds outdoors
How much to plant per person in the vegetable garden
May you have a very successful gardening season, and all your seeds grow into beautiful, healthy plants! Always remember that gardening is a journey of trial and error, but in the end, it is so rewarding and fun!
Love, Annette xx
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