Seed Guide

Spring is in the air, and gardening season is here! With seed packets and starter plants in store, there are dozens of veggie, fruit, flower, and herb options for you to bring your own personalized plot to life. Whether you are new to gardening or have more than a few seasons under your belt, check out our seed guide below to learn some helpful basics and get ready to get growing!

🌱 Minnesota Seed Guide

General Notes:

Zone: Most of Minnesota is Zone 4a or 4b; northern areas may be Zone 3.
Frost-Free Dates: Average last frost is May 10-20; first frost is September 20 to October 10.
Seed Starting Indoors: Best done in greenhouse conditions or under grow lights 6-12 weeks before last frost.
Transplanting Outdoors: After last frost or with row covers/hoop tunnels.

🥦 Cool-Season Crops

(Start early, transplant before/just after last frost)

Crop	Start Indoors	Transplant Outdoors	Notes
Lettuce	6-8 weeks before last frost	2-3 weeks before last frost	Can direct sow too
Kale	6 weeks before last frost	2 weeks before last frost	Cold hardy
Spinach	Direct sow	N/A	Perfers cold, bolts in heat
Broccoli	6-8 weeks before last frost	2 weeks before last frost	Needs hardening off
Cabbage	6-8 weeks before last frost	2-3 weeks before last frost	Cool-loving
Peas	Direct sow	N/A	Plant as soon as soil is workable

🍅 Warm-Season Crops

(Needs heat, transplant after last frost)

Crop	Start Indoors	Transplant Outdoors	Notes
Tomatoes	6-8 weeks before last frost	1-2 weeks after last frost	Needs staking
Peppers	8-10 weeks before last frost	2 weeks after last frost	Warmth lover
Eggplant	8-10 weeks before last frost	2 weeks after last frost	Heat-loving
Cucumbers	3-4 weeks before last frost	After frost	Start in pots to avoid root shock
Squash (Zucchini, etc.)	3-4 weeks before last frost	After frost	Large seeds, fast growers
Melons	3-4 weeks before last frost	After frost	Needs long warm season

🌻 Flowers (Popular Annuals)

Flower	Start Indoors	Transplant Outdoors	Notes
Marigolds	6-8 weeks before last frost	After frost	Pest deterrent
Zinnias	4-6 weeks before last frost	After frost	Easy to grow
Petunias	10-12 weeks before last frost	After frost	Slow grower
Snapdragons	8-10 weeks before last frost	After frost	Cool-season bloomers

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

A hardiness zone map is a tool that helps gardeners and farmers determine which plants are most likely to thrive in a specific geographic area based on the average minimum winter temperatures. It’s mainly used to select perennial plants (those that come back each year), since they must survive winter cold. If you live in zone 5a, you should choose plants labeled “hardy to Zone 5” or lower, because they can survive your local winter temperatures.

Nestled in the heart of Maynard, MN, the L&E Greenhouse stands as a vibrant oasis for plant enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.