When should I start seedlings indoors to plant outdoors in the spring?

At the beginning of the calendar year, spring may feel like a long way away. But if you're planning to have a garden this year, the time to plant seeds might not be as far away as you think!

While there is variation depending what you're growing, a good rule of thumb for warm-season annual flowers and vegetables is to start them inside 6 weeks before the last frost date. Check your seed packets or look up your specific varieties, since the recommended time to keep seedlings indoors can be 2-12 weeks, and the earliest time to safely transplant outdoors could be before or after the last frost. Depending on your climate and how far north or south you are, the time to start seedlines could range from as late as April to as early as January within the continental US! (Check the Old Farmer's Almanac to find out the expected last frost date in your area more precisely.) Since most people here can start seeds in February-March, January-February is a great time to plan your garden and purchase any seeds or supplies you'll need to get started.