Growing Together: Open Forum

Hi 

I'm new to seed starting. We have started planting seeds in March inside. I let them go outside for awhile (LOL)  and was wondering when do we plant them in our garden bed? Please help 

Hi, Jessica! If you started them inside in March and have let them "harden" off outside then they are ready to plant in the ground. I always look on the back of the seed packet for the planting information. Usually, the seed packet will tell you the optimal time to plant that particular seed or plant. Happy planting!

The little guys are probably itching to hit the big garden bed, but make sure the last frost is gone for good, usually late spring. Give them a week or so to harden off by letting them chill outside a bit more each day.

Hi Jessica, you're in Planting Zone 8b - Here's a monthly guide to garden work from a source I trust, Sow True Seeds.  

https://sowtrueseed.com/blogs/monthly-garden-schedule-by-zone/zone-8-monthly-garden-calendar-chores-and-planting-guide

It should be helpful to you!  

The answer to your question depends on what you seeded -- generally, as long as the soil is 70 degrees or above you can transplant out tomatoes, cukes, zukes, squash.  might be too hot to transplant collards and other greens but you could still direct sow them in the garden, and, if the transplants don't make it there's still time to direct sow them, too.  It's a great time to plant bean seeds!

As long as your seedlings have their first set of 'real' leaves, not just the cotyledons (seed leaves), you can put them in. Please do 'harden them off' first - if they've been inside all this time they need to get used to the sun, heat and humidity over a few days.  Put them out for a couple hours, and over a few days leave them out longer and longer until they're out all day/night. THEN transplant them.  Check them a couple times a day as they may dry out much faster outdoors than they do indoors. don't let them totally dry out!  good luck! and remember, they're only plants, so don't worry too much!