This has been the question of the week. Yikes! My weekly posts are not enough. So here is a little extra. Don’t forget, you can click on the GrowVeg.com banner for a 30 day trial to help plan your garden. They offer e-mail reminders too! Something I’m not ready to do yet, unless you sign up to receive an e-mail each time I post on this blog. There’s an idea! Also, while I’m at it, please share My Urban Farmscape with your garden friends via Twitter, Facebook, e-mail, or any of the sharing links below. Keep in mind my Garden Revolution Resolution!
For Michigan, our frost-free date is typically May 20. You can plant cool loving vegetables and flowers prior to this date, starting the first week of April for spinach and peas, but save the majority of your planting until after the frost free date. Remember to “harden off” your plants that have been growing indoors. This just means to acclimate them to the outdoors by setting them out during the day, bringing them inside (or protect in a garage or shed) at night for a few days before planting them. First frost dates are determined by historical records. This year, spring has sprung a lot earlier, but we are back to freezing temperatures and frost can still occur after our first frost date. If that happens, you should protect your plants using lightweight fabric or newspapers. Don’t use plastic if it will touch the plants.
This may not be everything that you want to grow, but it’s a start. Refer to earlier posts and make your calendar!
Start indoors 8-10 weeks before frost date. Transplant in the garden AFTER first frost date.
- Peppers (Best to plant at least two weeks after first frost date)
- Eggplant (Best to plant at least two weeks after first frost date)
- Snapdragon
- Forget me nots
- Coleus
Start indoors 6-8 weeks before frost date. Transplant in the garden AFTER first frost date.
- Tomatoes
- Basil (Best to plant at least two weeks after first frost date when nighttime temperatures are consistantly above 50 F. Can also be directly sown in the garden at that time)
- Calendula
- Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth)
- Marigold
- Strawflower
- Zinnia
Directly sow outside in the garden 4-6 weeks BEFORE frost date. Provide protection if freezing temperatures occur at night.
- Peas
- Spinach (can also be started indoors 4 weeks before planting in the garden)
- Mustard Greens (can also be started indoors 4 weeks before planting in the garden)
- Mache (corn salad) (can also be started indoors 4 weeks before planting in the garden)
- Kohlrabi (can also be started indoors 4 weeks before planting in the garden)
- Kale
- Radish
- Carrot
- Flowering Sweet Peas
Start indoors 4 – 6 weeks before frost date. Transplant to the garden two to three weeks BEFORE first frost date.
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
- Swiss Chard
- Lettuce
- Parsley
- Cilantro
Directly sow in the garden (you can start 2-4 weeks before frost date if you wish, but not necessary) AFTER first frost date.
- Beans
- Cucumber
- Corn
- Squash
- Pumpkins
- Melons
- Cosmos
- Morning Glory
- Nasturtium
- Sunflower
My Urban Farmscape 
Hi! My name is Rachel and I run a company called Farmscape in LA. We’re the largest urban farming operation in California. Your blog comes up on my google media alerts and so that’s how I stumbled here. You have a really nice blog. Keep writing!! Drop a line sometime to us if you’re in LA. – Rachel http://www.farmscapegardens.com/blog
Hi Rachel. Thanks for your kind words. I have family close to L.A. Next time we visit I’ll look you up. I enjoyed what I have read so far on your blog. What a great service you provide. Patti