Early Season vs. Late Season

[TillinWithMyPeeps]

It is in the 50's-60's here now, and the last frost date is expected to be in Late April/ Early May. I am in zone 5b. Is it about time to plant the early season crops?

Also, I have tried to seperate my early season seeds from late season, is this correct?:

Early:

Lettuce
Chard
Peas
Bok Choy
Kale
Spinach
Turnip (Greens)
Broccoli
Collards

Late:

Sunflower
Tomatoes
Watermelon
Pumpkin
Carrot
Ground Cherry
Eggplant

Thanks.

 

[digitS']

Good choices, Andy .

If you are talking about starting indoors for transplanting, you probably could have started even a week earlier for things like lettuce & bok choy. But, I'm not much interested in rushing those crops outdoors and they won't take too long to get started.

I've just now got the peppers & eggplants all started but just a few are coming up. They will be ready for transplant in about 2 months. The broccoli and cabbage seed will be going in soon. Tomatoes may as well be seeded now or soon, for me. Melons are transplanted into my garden but only need about 4 weeks head start.

Most everything else you've mentioned is direct-seeded in my garden. Those early season crops like spinach and such will be planted in April. I'm tired of trying to transplant or move sunflowers and grow shorter season pumpkin varieties. Don't know a thing about ground cherries. Naked carrot seed needs to be planted "right on the money" to germinate well in my part of the world. That is usually late April.

I pretend a couple of things: that my last frost date will be on April 21st and that mid-May will be about right to begin setting out the warm-weather critters.

Steve

 

[curly_kate]

I'm in zone 6A, and I start planting my early stuff out under cover this time of year. I have cold frames where I planted cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, radishes, beets, and carrots. I think if you keep them covered, you might be able to get some things out earlier. You just need to watch on days like today (it's sunny and in the 60s here) that you give them some ventilation. :rainbow-sun