Which Vegetable Seeds to Start Indoors vs. Direct Sow

Which Vegetable Seeds to Start Indoors vs. Direct Sow

Direct sow (cold-hardy/root crops): lettuce, peas, spinach, broccoli, chard, radishes, carrots, beets — as soon as soil is workable.
Direct sow (fast warm-season): beans, corn, squash — after last frost (Memorial Day in Midwest).
Start indoors: peppers, eggplant, tomatoes — 6–8 weeks before last frost; transplant 1–2 weeks after frost.

Hardening Off

Gradually acclimate seedlings: 4 hours shade day 1, add 2 hours daily, increase sun exposure over a week.

New Jersey Planting

Use May 20 as frost date. Pumpkins, watermelons, cucumbers = direct sow after frost. See planting timeline.