Not all veggies should be started at the same time.

Here’s how to figure out the best timing for the crops you want to grow.

Having your very own vegetable patch in your yard can be very rewarding.

Raised bed vegetable garden with flowers

Credit: Denny Schrock

But when exactly thatisdepends on several factors, includingyour area’s climateand thetype of vegetablesyou’re looking to grow.

Luckily, there are only two main groups of vegetables to consider: cool-season vegetables and warm-season vegetables.

Here’s what you oughta know.

Patio tomatoes

Credit: Peter Krumhardt

Because of this, they’re typically planted as soon as the soil can be worked in spring.

In most areas, that’s between 2 to 4 weeks before thelast spring frost.

Seed packages or plant tags will tell you the specific temperature at which a particular vegetable can be planted.

This is known assuccession planting.

Look for vegetables labeled “frost-hardy” to know which ones will tolerate prolonged freezing temperatures.

Wait until about two weeks after the average last frost date for your region to plant warm-season crops.

Just remember to harden off seedlings before transplanting them into the garden.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are certain types of vegetables you should pick before a hard frost.