I'm planning an outdoor crop for as soon as the next growing season starts. Anyone know when the earliest possible time I could start growing for someone who lives in central US?

Generally you can put your plants in the ground after last frost/freeze date for your area. If you grow in containers you can put them out earlier because you can bring them in to avoid temperature dips.

Here is a link you may find helpful.



NCDC: Freeze/Frost Maps


I like to start plants indoors at least a month before I put them outside. A more mature plant can withstand temp extremes better than a little seedling, or a smallish clone. The earlier you put plants out (in ground especially) the bigger the plant gets before it starts to flower....voila...bigger plants, bigger yields.

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everyone always gives this chart. I have read it and still dont know when the last freeze in Austin, Tx is. can someone that undenstands the chart tell me?

For people who hate charts try this simple method. When you see blossoms on the trees it's time to start the babies germinating indoors. After they sprout put em into cups, after you see roots put em into pots and after established they go outside.

Mogie's advice is good; trees and bushes blooming are a good indicator. For the Austin area, IMO, I would start seeds indoors about mid April. You could get them in the ground probably the 1st week of May. I know people that live in the Georgetown area, and that's about when they start their veggies growing. Hope this helps.

Nelson

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If you could start them indoors for like 3 months in feb and put them outside in april .They will get really big

i want to see this
sounds amazing

lote of people on here do it.

not me but i really want to tho look around this site look at this dude started them indoors early then put the out in green house early and now has monsters and he will be able to let them flower however long he needs MYGIRLS --greenhouse for 2009~~GETTEN READY
click that^

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