Seed Starting Date Calculator

Start seeds indoors at exactly the right time so transplants are ready when the weather turns. Enter your average last spring frost date, the number of weeks before that frost your seed packet says to sow indoors, and any extra days to harden off outside before planting. The calculator counts backward to give you the date to sow the seeds and the target date to move them into the garden. Tomatoes and peppers usually want six to eight weeks of a head start, while fast growers like squash want only two to three. Starting too early leaves you with leggy, rootbound seedlings, so this timing keeps them stocky and strong. All dates are worked out instantly in your browser with no signup.