Sowing and planting times through the garden year

In short: Many vegetables and flowers are started on the windowsill from February and planted out after the last frosts (the “Ice Saints” in mid-May). What is sown when is stated on the seed packet.

In more detail: The date depends on the plant’s frost hardiness, germination temperature and growing time.

In detail

• Starting indoors (February to April): Tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, celery, summer flowers. Bright and warm.
• Direct sowing in spring (March/April): Carrots, radishes, lettuce, peas, spinach.
• After the Ice Saints: Cucumbers, courgettes, beans, pumpkin, tender plants.
• Autumn sowing: Lamb’s lettuce, spinach, garlic, onions, green manure.
• Sowing depth: About twice as deep as the seed is thick. Light germinators are only pressed on.
• Pricking out: Thin out seedlings that stand too close (tomaten-anbauen, richtig-giessen-im-garten).