When to Plant Seed Indoors for a Vegetable Garden in Virginia
To extend the growing season in Virginia, start vegetable plants indoors. The time to plant the seeds indoors depends on the type of vegetable and the date of the last frost in the Virginia garden. Does this Spark an idea?
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Frost-Free Date
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The growing season in Virginia ranges from 135 days in Burkes Garden to 259 days in Cape Henry. Consult a Virginia climatology report for the growing conditions in your specific area of Virginia. For example, in Richmond, Virginia, the average date of the last spring 32-degree temperature is April 6.
Cool-Season Vegetables
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Plant broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and leaf lettuce indoors in pots or flats and start them four to five weeks prior to transplanting outside. Because these plants tolerate light frost, transplant them into the garden one to two weeks before the date of the last frost. In Richmond, Virginia, start the plants inside around February 25 and transplant them outside around March 25. Start leaf lettuce plants indoors two to three weeks before transplanting outside.
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Warm-Season Vegetables
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Plant warm-season vegetables outside after the last spring frost. Start tomatoes, eggplant and peppers indoors about five to six weeks before transplanting outside. Plant watermelon, muskmelon, squash and pumpkin plants indoors two to three weeks before transplanting. In Richmond, Virginia, there is a 10 percent chance of a killing spring frost after April 21. Transplant warm-season plants around that date. For example, start tomatoes in the second or third week of February.
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References
- University of Virginia Climatology Office: When Does Your Growing Season Start?
- Cornell Cooperative Extension: Starting Vegetables Indoors
- North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension: When to Plant Vegetables in the Garden
- Radford University: Climate of Virginia
- Clemson Cooperative Extension: Starting Seeds Indoors
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