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|
 The following table
can be used to determine the appropriate time to start seeds
indoors. Seed starting date is based on the "last frost"
date. Most of the Kansas City metro area can expect a "frost
free" date around April 15. A couple of days earlier or later
as you go south or north respectively. Careful here! That
means that there is still a 50% chance of frost on this date - not the
best odds when your plants are on the line. We are a bit
conservative here at Savvygardener.com and as a rule don't plant any
tender plants outdoors until the first full weekend in May.It's
up to you of course but whatever date you choose this chart will help you
set your seed starting dates.
|
Plant
|
Approximate
Number of Weeks
Before Last Frost Date
to Start Seeds Indoors
|
Time Seeds Take
to Germinate (Days)
|
Temp.
(oF)
|
Light/Dark
Requirement
|
|
Ageratum
|
8
|
5 to 10
|
70
|
Light
|
|
Alyssum
|
8
|
5 to 10
|
70
|
Either
|
|
Aster
|
6
|
5 to 10
|
70
|
Either
|
|
Balsam
|
6
|
5 to 10
|
70
|
Either
|
|
Begonia
|
12 or more
|
10 to 15
|
70
|
Light
|
|
Broccoli
|
8
|
5 to 10
|
70
|
Either
|
|
Browallia
|
12 or more
|
15 to 20
|
70
|
Light
|
|
Cabbage
|
8
|
5 to 10
|
70
|
Either
|
|
Cauliflower
|
8
|
5 to 10
|
70
|
Either
|
|
Celosia
|
8
|
5 to 10
|
70
|
Either
|
|
Centurea
|
6
|
5 to 10
|
65
|
Dark
|
|
Coleus
|
8
|
5 to 10
|
65
|
Light
|
|
Columbine
|
8
|
20 - 25
|
70
|
Light
|
|
Cosmos
|
4 or less
|
5 to 10
|
70
|
Either
|
|
Cucumber
|
4 or less
|
5 to 10
|
85
|
Either
|
|
Dahlia
|
8
|
5 to 10
|
70
|
Either
|
|
Dianthus
|
10
|
5 to 10
|
70
|
Either
|
|
Eggplant
|
8
|
5 to 10
|
70
|
Either
|
|
Geranium
|
12 or more
|
10 to 20
|
70
|
Light
|
|
Impatiens
|
10
|
15 to 20
|
70
|
Light
|
|
Larkspur
|
12 or more
|
5 to 10
|
55
|
Dark
|
|
Lettuce
|
8
|
5 to 10
|
70
|
Light
|
|
Marigold
|
6
|
5 to 10
|
70
|
Either
|
|
Muskmelon
|
4 or less
|
5 to 10
|
85
|
Either
|
|
Nicotiana
|
8
|
10 to 15
|
70
|
Light
|
|
Pansy (Viola)
|
12 or more
|
5 to 10
|
65
|
Dark
|
|
Pepper
|
8
|
5 to 10
|
80
|
Either
|
|
Petunia
|
10
|
5 to 10
|
70
|
Light
|
|
Phlox
|
8
|
5 to 10
|
65
|
Dark
|
|
Portulaca
|
10
|
5 to 10
|
70
|
Dark
|
|
Snapdragon
|
10
|
5 to 10
|
65
|
Light
|
|
Squash
|
4 or less
|
5 to 10
|
85
|
Either
|
|
Stock
|
10
|
10 to 15
|
70
|
Either
|
|
Tomato
|
6
|
5 to 10
|
80
|
Either
|
|
Verbena
|
10
|
15 to 20
|
65
|
Dark
|
|
Vinca
|
12 or more
|
10 to 15
|
70
|
Either
|
|
Watermelon
|
4 or less
|
5 to 10
|
85
|
Either
|
|
Zinnia
|
6
|
5 to 10
|
70
|
Either
|
Table courtesy of North
Carolina State University Extension
|
|
