Part XV

Seed starting

Give a last frost date and a USDA zone. The folio returns when to start indoors, transplant, or sow outdoors — vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruit.

Typical last frost for 6b is the date we filled in. A ridge runs colder than a hollow — treat the week as a window, not a promise. Soil temperature still rules a bean.

Your frost and zone

USDA zoneLast spring frostFirst fall frost

East Tennessee hill country. Dates persist on this device until you sign in. Sign in to sync

Print this calendar Grow lab

By crop

2 of 109 crops in the folio

Vegetable · Seed

Kale

Brassica oleracea var. acephala

Start indoors: Mar 4–18
Transplant outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 8
Start indoors for fall: Jul 23 – Aug 6
Sow for fall: Aug 6–27
Set out for fall: Aug 20 – Sep 3

A kiss of frost sweetens it. July heat is a tray, not a bed.

Start indoors 4–6 weeks before last frost. Transplant 2–4 weeks before last frost.

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Flower · Seed

Sweet alyssum

Lobularia maritima

Start indoors: Feb 18 – Mar 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 1–22
Transplant outdoors: Apr 15–29

Hoverfly skirt under brassicas. Sow with the kale, not with the zinnias.

Start indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost. Transplant at last frost through 2 weeks after.

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