Seed starting
North Carolina seed-starting calendar
NC State Extension's planting calendars advise sowing seeds for transplants 6 to 8 weeks before the date you plan to set plants outdoors[1],[2],[3]. The tables below count back from every transplant date in each regional calendar, sorted by when to sow.
Last reviewed by GardenSproutly against the sources listed on this page.
Two timing references
The “Start seeds indoors” column uses the calendars' general 6–8 week rule. The Extension Gardener Handbook also gives crop-specific growing times and temperatures for transplants (Table 16-3)[4]. Some are shorter, such as 2–3 weeks for cucumbers, and onions need 10–12 weeks, so we list both where the handbook covers the crop.
Not listed: sweet potatoes. The calendars mark them as transplants, but the plants are slips (rooted vine cuttings) rather than seedlings[5].
Eastern North Carolina
Coastal Plain · Transplant dates from the Eastern NC planting calendar
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Transplant outdoors | Handbook growing time | Day / night °F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabbage | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | Feb 1 – Apr 1 | 5–7 weeks | 60–70 / 50–60 |
| Lettuce, leaf | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | Feb 1 – Apr 15 | 4–5 weeks | 55–65 / 50–55 |
| Broccoli | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Feb 15 – Apr 1 | 5–7 weeks | 60–70 / 50–60 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Feb 15 – Apr 1 | 5–7 weeks | 60–70 / 50–60 |
| Celery | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | — | — |
| Collard greens | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Feb 15 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Kale | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Feb 15 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Feb 15 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Leeks | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Feb 15 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Parsley | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Feb 15 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Onions, green | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | 10–12 weeks | 60–65 / 55–60 |
| Swiss chard | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Mar 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Artichokes, globe | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 15 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Cabbage, Chinese | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | around Mar 15 | — | — |
| Lettuce, head | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 15 – Apr 15 | 4–5 weeks | 55–65 / 50–55 |
| Pac choi (bok choy) | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | around Mar 15 | — | — |
| Squash, summer | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 1 – Aug 1 | 3–4 weeks | 70–75 / 60–65 |
| Cantaloupe (muskmelon) | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 15 – Jul 1 | 3–4 weeks | 70–75 / 60–65 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 15 – Aug 1 | 2–3 weeks | 70–75 / 60–65 |
| Eggplant | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 15 – Jun 1 | 6–8 weeks | 70–80 / 65–70 |
| Peppers | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 15 – Jun 1 | 6–8 weeks | 65–75 / 60–65 |
| Squash, winter | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 15 – Aug 1 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 15 – Jul 1 | 5–7 weeks | 65–75 / 60–65 |
| Watermelon | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 15 – Jun 15 | 3–4 weeks | 70–80 / 65–70 |
| Basil | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 1 – Jul 15 | — | — |
| Okra | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Celery | Apr 20 – May 4 | Jun 15 – Aug 1 | — | — |
| Brussels sprouts | May 6 – May 20 | Jul 1 – Aug 15 | 5–7 weeks | 60–70 / 50–60 |
| Cabbage | May 20 – Jun 3 | Jul 15 – Sep 1 | 5–7 weeks | 60–70 / 50–60 |
| Collard greens | May 20 – Jun 3 | Jul 15 – Sep 1 | — | — |
| Broccoli | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | Aug 1 – Sep 1 | 5–7 weeks | 60–70 / 50–60 |
| Cauliflower | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | Aug 1 – Sep 15 | 5–7 weeks | 60–70 / 50–60 |
| Eggplant | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 | 6–8 weeks | 70–80 / 65–70 |
| Kale | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | Aug 1 – Sep 15 | — | — |
| Kohlrabi | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | Aug 1 – Sep 1 | — | — |
| Lettuce, leaf | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | Aug 1 – Sep 15 | 4–5 weeks | 55–65 / 50–55 |
| Parsley | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | Aug 1 – Sep 15 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | around Aug 1 | 6–8 weeks | 65–75 / 60–65 |
| Swiss chard | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | Aug 1 – Sep 1 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | around Aug 1 | 5–7 weeks | 65–75 / 60–65 |
| Onions, green | Jun 20 – Jul 4 | Aug 15 – Sep 1 | 10–12 weeks | 60–65 / 55–60 |
| Pac choi (bok choy) | Jun 20 – Jul 4 | Aug 15 – Sep 15 | — | — |
| Cabbage, Chinese | Jul 21 – Aug 4 | Sep 15 – Oct 1 | — | — |
| Lettuce, head | Jul 21 – Aug 4 | Sep 15 – Oct 1 | 4–5 weeks | 55–65 / 50–55 |
Central North Carolina
Piedmont · Transplant dates from the Central NC planting calendar
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Transplant outdoors | Handbook growing time | Day / night °F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabbage | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | Feb 1 – Apr 1 | 5–7 weeks | 60–70 / 50–60 |
| Lettuce, leaf | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | Feb 1 – Apr 15 | 4–5 weeks | 55–65 / 50–55 |
| Broccoli | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Feb 15 – Apr 1 | 5–7 weeks | 60–70 / 50–60 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Feb 15 – Apr 1 | 5–7 weeks | 60–70 / 50–60 |
| Celery | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | — | — |
| Collard greens | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Feb 15 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Kale | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Feb 15 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Feb 15 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Leeks | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Feb 15 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Parsley | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Feb 15 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Onions, green | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | 10–12 weeks | 60–65 / 55–60 |
| Swiss chard | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Mar 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Artichokes, globe | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 15 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Cabbage, Chinese | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | around Mar 15 | — | — |
| Lettuce, head | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 15 – Apr 15 | 4–5 weeks | 55–65 / 50–55 |
| Pac choi (bok choy) | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | around Mar 15 | — | — |
| Squash, summer | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 1 – Aug 1 | 3–4 weeks | 70–75 / 60–65 |
| Cantaloupe (muskmelon) | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 15 – Jul 1 | 3–4 weeks | 70–75 / 60–65 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 15 – Aug 1 | 2–3 weeks | 70–75 / 60–65 |
| Eggplant | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 15 – Jun 1 | 6–8 weeks | 70–80 / 65–70 |
| Peppers | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 15 – Jun 1 | 6–8 weeks | 65–75 / 60–65 |
| Squash, winter | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 15 – Aug 1 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 15 – Jul 1 | 5–7 weeks | 65–75 / 60–65 |
| Watermelon | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 15 – Jun 15 | 3–4 weeks | 70–80 / 65–70 |
| Basil | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 1 – Jul 15 | — | — |
| Okra | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Celery | Apr 20 – May 4 | Jun 15 – Aug 1 | — | — |
| Brussels sprouts | May 6 – May 20 | Jul 1 – Aug 15 | 5–7 weeks | 60–70 / 50–60 |
| Cabbage | May 20 – Jun 3 | Jul 15 – Sep 1 | 5–7 weeks | 60–70 / 50–60 |
| Collard greens | May 20 – Jun 3 | Jul 15 – Sep 1 | — | — |
| Broccoli | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | Aug 1 – Sep 1 | 5–7 weeks | 60–70 / 50–60 |
| Cauliflower | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | Aug 1 – Sep 15 | 5–7 weeks | 60–70 / 50–60 |
| Eggplant | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 | 6–8 weeks | 70–80 / 65–70 |
| Kale | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | Aug 1 – Sep 15 | — | — |
| Kohlrabi | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | Aug 1 – Sep 1 | — | — |
| Lettuce, leaf | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | Aug 1 – Sep 15 | 4–5 weeks | 55–65 / 50–55 |
| Parsley | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | Aug 1 – Sep 15 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | around Aug 1 | 6–8 weeks | 65–75 / 60–65 |
| Swiss chard | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | Aug 1 – Sep 1 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | around Aug 1 | 5–7 weeks | 65–75 / 60–65 |
| Onions, green | Jun 20 – Jul 4 | Aug 15 – Sep 1 | 10–12 weeks | 60–65 / 55–60 |
| Pac choi (bok choy) | Jun 20 – Jul 4 | Aug 15 – Sep 15 | — | — |
| Cabbage, Chinese | Jul 21 – Aug 4 | Sep 15 – Oct 1 | — | — |
| Lettuce, head | Jul 21 – Aug 4 | Sep 15 – Oct 1 | 4–5 weeks | 55–65 / 50–55 |
Western North Carolina
Mountains · Transplant dates from the Western NC planting calendar
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Transplant outdoors | Handbook growing time | Day / night °F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabbage | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Mar 1 – Apr 1 | 5–7 weeks | 60–70 / 50–60 |
| Onions, green | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Mar 1 – Apr 1 | 10–12 weeks | 60–65 / 55–60 |
| Artichokes, globe | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 15 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Kale | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 15 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Lettuce, leaf | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 15 – Apr 1 | 4–5 weeks | 55–65 / 50–55 |
| Pac choi (bok choy) | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | around Mar 15 | — | — |
| Swiss chard | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 15 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Cabbage, Chinese | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Cauliflower | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | 5–7 weeks | 60–70 / 50–60 |
| Collard greens | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 1 – Aug 1 | — | — |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 1 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Leeks | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 1 – Jul 15 | — | — |
| Parsley | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 1 – Aug 1 | — | — |
| Broccoli | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 15 – May 15 | 5–7 weeks | 60–70 / 50–60 |
| Celery | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 15 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 1 – Jun 15 | 5–7 weeks | 65–75 / 60–65 |
| Basil | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 15 – Jul 15 | — | — |
| Cantaloupe (muskmelon) | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 15 – Jul 1 | 3–4 weeks | 70–75 / 60–65 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 15 – Jul 15 | 2–3 weeks | 70–75 / 60–65 |
| Eggplant | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 15 – Jul 1 | 6–8 weeks | 70–80 / 65–70 |
| Okra | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 15 – Jul 15 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 15 – Jun 15 | 6–8 weeks | 65–75 / 60–65 |
| Squash, summer | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 15 – Jul 15 | 3–4 weeks | 70–75 / 60–65 |
| Squash, winter | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 15 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Watermelon | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 15 – Jun 15 | 3–4 weeks | 70–80 / 65–70 |
| Brussels sprouts | May 6 – May 20 | Jul 1 – Jul 15 | 5–7 weeks | 60–70 / 50–60 |
| Cabbage | May 6 – May 20 | Jul 1 – Aug 1 | 5–7 weeks | 60–70 / 50–60 |
| Broccoli | May 20 – Jun 3 | Jul 15 – Aug 1 | 5–7 weeks | 60–70 / 50–60 |
| Cauliflower | May 20 – Jun 3 | Jul 15 – Aug 1 | 5–7 weeks | 60–70 / 50–60 |
| Kohlrabi | May 20 – Jun 3 | Jul 15 – Aug 1 | — | — |
| Lettuce, leaf | May 20 – Jun 3 | Jul 15 – Aug 15 | 4–5 weeks | 55–65 / 50–55 |
| Cabbage, Chinese | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 | — | — |
| Kale | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 | — | — |
| Onions, green | Jun 20 – Jul 4 | Aug 15 – Sep 15 | 10–12 weeks | 60–65 / 55–60 |
| Pac choi (bok choy) | Jun 20 – Jul 4 | Aug 15 – Sep 15 | — | — |
Seed-starting tips
- Check the date on seed packets. Many vegetable seeds stay viable for three to five years if kept dark, dry, and below 85°F, but old seed may germinate poorly and grow slowly.[4]
- Good transplants are stocky and medium-sized, with healthy green color, a well-developed root system, and no pests or disease. Bigger isn't better: tomato plants that have already started flowering are stressed.[4]
- Harden off seedlings before planting by taking them outside for longer periods each day until they adjust to outdoor temperature and light.[2]
- Transplant on a cloudy day or in early evening to prevent wilting, and check the forecast for extreme heat, heavy rain, or hail in the days after planting.[4]
- If cold or windy weather threatens spring transplants, cover them with row covers, boxes, or milk jugs, keeping covers off the leaves and removing them when it warms up.[4]
Sources
- [1]Eastern North Carolina Planting Calendar for Annual Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs (AG-756-02) — NC State Extension. Published June 15, 2016. Checked October 11, 2026.
Supports: Outdoor planting dates, planting methods, days to harvest, and plant spacing for eastern North Carolina. Scope: Eastern North Carolina. The publication does not define county boundaries.
- [2]Central North Carolina Planting Calendar for Annual Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs (AG-756-01) — NC State Extension. Published July 8, 2016. Checked October 11, 2026.
Supports: Outdoor planting dates, planting methods, days to harvest, plant spacing, and the 6–8 week transplant-starting rule for central North Carolina. Scope: Central North Carolina. The publication does not define county boundaries.
- [3]Western North Carolina Planting Calendar for Annual Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs (AG-756-03) — NC State Extension. Published August 4, 2016. Checked October 11, 2026.
Supports: Outdoor planting dates, planting methods, days to harvest, and plant spacing for western North Carolina, plus regional pest-timing advice. Scope: Western North Carolina. The publication does not define county boundaries.
- [4]Extension Gardener Handbook, Chapter 16: Vegetable Gardening — NC State Extension. Published February 1, 2022. Checked October 11, 2026.
Supports: Cool- and warm-season crop groupings, seed-sowing depth, transplant growing times and temperatures (Table 16-3), soil preparation, succession planting, and harvest indicators. Scope: Written for North Carolina and the southeastern United States.
- [5]Sweetpotatoes in the Home Garden — N.C. Cooperative Extension, Franklin County Center. May 8, 2025. Checked October 11, 2026.
Supports: Sweetpotato soil, pH, fertilizer, slips, spacing, planting depth, harvest timing, curing, storage, and varieties. Scope: Central North Carolina (Franklin County).