Practical guides to frost dates, seed starting, and planting decisions. Read the sources and check your local conditions before planting.
-
Frost vs Freeze: What Each One Does to Your Plants
Frost is surface ice; a freeze is air at 32°F or lower. See NWS alert wording, hard-freeze lines, which crops die at which temperature, and what to cover.
-
Why Soil Temperature Matters More Than a Warm Afternoon
Compare soil readiness, crop requirements, and frost risk before sowing seed or transplanting warm-season vegetables.
-
Plan Indoor Seed Starting Backward from Transplanting
Build a realistic seed-starting schedule using the crop’s instructions, your intended transplant window, and time to acclimate seedlings.
-
How to Use Frost Dates Without Treating Them as a Forecast
Turn a historical frost date into a practical planning decision by checking the station, temperature threshold, and local forecast.
-
When to Start Seeds Indoors: Count Back From Your Last Frost Date
Count back from your last frost date: tomatoes 6 to 8 weeks, peppers 8, broccoli 4 to 6. Includes worked dates, light needs and hardening-off timing.