Use your anticipated final frost date as a guide for a number of gardening steps. In knowing this date, you can:

• Start certain plants from seed indoors 6–8 weeks before this date (tomatoes, peppers, and zinnias are commonly started indoors).
• Grow cold-weather plants, such as root vegetables and leafy greens, outdoors slightly before or during this range.
• Plan on hardening off your indoor starts around this time.
• Direct sow non-cold-weather plants once this date range has passed and you have consecutively warm overnight temperatures.

Here is a list of seeds that should perform best in your area. When you are shopping for seeds, be sure to read detailed planting information for each product to ensure success in your garden. Spacing, watering, and sun exposure are just as important as location and timing.