When Am I Supposed To Plant [Insert Here]?

We get asked a LOT about when to plant things outside. I want to share Meriwether Homestead's current schedule of "safe days" to plant outside. Visit Meriwether Homestead & pick up some plant starts for your garden! We also carry "Good To Grow" containers that only require love, light, & adoration, no hard manual labor. This list is specific to Meriwether Homestead’s area in Louisville, Kentucky, which is in the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a. This means that our average annual extreme minimum temperature is 0 - 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Currently, our average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 20.

If there is a plant that you do not see below that you need to know its safe days, please e-mail us at meriwetherhomestead@gmail.com. We will answer you and add it to the list.

LOUISVILLE, KY'S SAFE DAYS

Asparagus: Transplant March 7 - April 29 and September 3 - October 15

Lemon Balm: Transplant April 19 - May 13

Can survive temperatures to -20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Basil: Transplant May 9 - 23

Do not transplant until overnight lows are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Beans: Direct Sow April 16 - June 15

Beets: Direct Sow March 16 - April 30 and August 1 - 16

Borage: Direct Sow April 15 - May 13

Broccoli: Transplant March 16 - April 15 and August 1 - October 1

Temperatures below 26 degrees Fahrenheit will kill plants. Temperatures below 31 degrees Fahrenheit will kill recently transplanted plants. Grows best when temperatures are 65 - 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit cause growth to slow.

Brussels Sprouts: Transplant March 18 - April 15 and August 1 - 16

Cabbage: Transplant March 1 - April 15

Carrots: Direct Sow March 16 - May 16 and August 16 - September 15

Catnip: Transplant April 15 - May 13

Cauliflower: Transplant April 1 - 30 and August 16 - August 31

Chives: Transplant April 15 - May 13

Cilantro: Transplant April 11 - May 13

Can tolerate 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Grows best when temperatures are 50 - 85 degrees Fahrenheit. If temperatures exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit, it will to start bolt.

Corn: Direct Sow April 15 - May 31

Corn Salad: Direct Sow February - May and August - October

Cucumber: Transplant April 16 - May 16 and Direct Sow August 1 - 16

Decay, water-soaked spots, and pitting occur if temperature is below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Can tolerate 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Grow above 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and above 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Grows best when temperatures are 65 - 75 degrees Fahrenheit. On September 20, start pinching off new flowers so that plants channel energy into ripening existing fruit.

Daylilies: Transplant March 7 - April 29 and September 17 - October 29

Dianthus (Perennial): Transplant March 7 - April 29 and September 17 - October 29

Eggplant: Transplant May 1 - June 15

Will not grow much or set fruit unless night temperatures are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Flowers drop at 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Grows best when temperatures are 70 - 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Garlic: Direct Sow September 16 - December 31

Kale: Transplant March 16 - April 15 and August 1 - 16

Lavender: Transplant March 7 - April 29

Leeks: Direct Sow March 16 - May 15

Lemongrass: Transplant April 19 - May 13

Grow in a 16"+ container that can be brought inside during cooler weather. Needs temperatures over 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Lettuce: Transplant March 16 - April 30 and August 16 - September 30

Melon: Transplant May 1 - June 30

Mint: Transplant April 19 - May 13

Require a nighttime minimum of 54 degrees Fahrenheit and a daytime minimum of 61 degrees Fahrenheit for active growth. Temperatures bove 86 degrees Fahrenheit, slow growth.

Nasturtium: Transplant April 22 - May 13 or Direct Sow April 22 - 29

Onions: Transplant March 1 - June 15

Peas: Transplant March 16 - June 30

Can survive 28 - 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Older plants die when temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Stops flowering and producing pods when temperatures are above 85 degrees. If you plant peas too early, they will not grow well. If you plant them too late, they will suffer in the summer heat.

Peppers: Transplant April 16 - June 30

Needs night temperatures to be 60 - 75 degrees Fahrenheit to set fruit.

Potatoes: Transplant March 16 - June 30

Pumpkin: Transplant May 16 - June 30

Radishes: Direct Sow April 1 -30 and August 16 - September 15

Rosemary: Transplant April 19 - May 13

When the temperature gets to 30 degrees Fahrenheit, bring plant inside. Grows best when temperatures are 60 - 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sage: Transplant April 4 - May 13

Freeze damage begins to occur when temperatures 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below are sustained. Transplant young plants only after the ground temperature hits 65 degrees Fahrenheit, 1 - 2 weeks before the last spring frost.

Spinach: Transplant March 16 - April 15 and August 16 - September 30

Grows best when daytime temperatures are below 75 degrees Fahrenheit, preferably 60 - 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Squash: Direct Sow April 19 - June 15

Won't tolerate any frost. 31 - 33 degrees Fahrenheit will kill plant.

Sweet Potatoes: Direct Sow May 16 - June 30

Swiss Chard: Transplant April 1 - 30

Thyme: Transplant April 11 - May 13

Tomatoes: Transplant April 16 - May 16 and August 1 - 16

Blossom drop occurs if night temperatures are less than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Grows best when temperatures are 65 - 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Violas: Transplant March 16 - April 29 and September 17 - October 29

Okra: Transplant May 1 - June 30

Requires 55 - 65 frost-free days with temperatures above 85°F for full growth, flowering, and pod development. Yields will decrease when the air temperatures are below 70°F.

Watermelon: Direct Sow May 1 - June 30