Ahhh yes—that feeling 🌱✨
Seed catalogs, scribbled notes from past years, dreaming about squeezing just one more plant into the bed… this is the good stuff: the season of planning, dreaming, and digging through old notes to remember what worked best in years past. Even before our hands hit the dirt, our minds are already growing.
Right now, we’re deep into garden planning mode: sorting seed lists, mapping out planting schedules, and figuring out how to grow even more in the little space we have. Every year brings new ideas, lessons learned, and fresh excitement for what’s ahead.
We’re working on seed-starting timelines now so we’re ready when spring planting arrives. As always, we’re also on the hunt around town for good seed deals and those hard-to-find varieties—the ones that grow well, taste great, and are worth the space they take.
Along with our favorite vegetables, we’re planning ahead for the decorative plants that shine in the fall. These are always a highlight for us, and it’s amazing how decisions made now shape what we’ll be sharing later in the season.
This time of year is one of our favorites. There’s something special about the quiet planning, the hopeful anticipation, and knowing that before long we’ll be outside, hands in the soil, watching it all come to life.
Here’s to hoppy planning, hopeful seeds, and looking forward to everything that’s coming next. Spring will be here before we know it!
General planting Guide:
Based on timing before and after your last average frost date. (If you don’t know your frost date yet, it’s worth looking up—everything else falls into place once you do!)
10–12 Weeks Before Last Frost
Start indoors:
Onions (from seed)
Leeks
Celery
These take a long time to mature, but they’re worth the early start.
8–10 Weeks Before Last Frost
Start indoors:
Peppers
Eggplant
Slow growers that love warmth—give them time to get strong before transplanting.
6–8 Weeks Before Last Frost
Start indoors:
Tomatoes
Broccoli
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Kale
This is a busy planting window and a great time to get seed trays filled.
4–6 Weeks Before Last Frost
Start indoors:
Lettuce
Spinach
Chard
Herbs (basil, parsley, thyme, oregano)
Some of these can also be direct-sown later, but early starts give a jump on harvest.
2–4 Weeks Before Last Frost
Direct sow outdoors:
Peas
Radishes
Carrots
Beets
Turnips
These cool-season crops prefer cooler soil and don’t mind a light frost.
After Last Frost (Soil Is Warm)
Start indoors earlier or direct sow outdoors:
Beans
Corn
Cucumbers
Squash
Zucchini
Pumpkins
Melons
Warm soil is key here—rushing these too early can slow them down.
A Few Planning Tips
Succession planting helps stretch harvests in small spaces
Vertical growing saves room (especially for squash and cucumbers)
Choose varieties that produce well and store or sell nicely
Label everything—future you will thank you!
This is one of our favorite times of the year—planning, dreaming, and getting ready to play in the dirt again soon. Seeds hold so much hope, and every season starts right here.
Happy (and hoppy) planting—we can’t wait to see what grows this year!
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Thank you!
The Hoppy Growers!