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When to start seeds indoors

Enter a German postcode or your own last frost date. You see every plant you start indoors, sorted by date, and when it can go outside.

Where is your garden?

Based on: average for Germany, last frost 19 April, safe from 6 May

32 plants to start indoors, by date

  1. LavenderStart indoors 8–22 FebruaryPlant out from 19 April
  2. OnionStart indoors 8–22 FebruaryPlant out from 22 March
  3. ThymeStart indoors 8–22 FebruaryPlant out from 19 April
  4. RosemaryStart indoors 11–25 FebruaryPlant out from 6 May
  5. CeleriacStart indoors 20 February – 6 MarchPlant out from 1 May
  6. BroccoliStart indoors 22 February – 8 MarchPlant out from 29 March
  7. CauliflowerStart indoors 22 February – 8 MarchPlant out from 5 April
  8. ChervilStart indoors around 22 FebruaryPlant out from 19 April
  9. ChivesStart indoors 22 February – 8 MarchNo sourced planting-out date
  10. EndiveStart indoors 22 February – 8 MarchPlant out from 5 April
  11. KohlrabiStart indoors 22 February – 8 MarchPlant out from 5 April
  12. Lemon balmStart indoors 22 February – 8 MarchPlant out from 19 April
  13. ParsleyStart indoors 22 February – 8 MarchNo sourced planting-out date
  14. Pot marigold (calendula)Start indoors 22 February – 8 MarchPlant out from 19 April
  15. SageStart indoors 22 February – 8 MarchPlant out from 19 April
  16. White cabbageStart indoors 22 February – 8 MarchPlant out from 29 March
  17. Chilli pepperStart indoors 25 February – 11 MarchPlant out from 6 May
  18. Sweet pepperStart indoors 25 February – 11 MarchPlant out from 6 May
  19. CeleryStart indoors 6–20 MarchPlant out from 15 May
  20. LeekStart indoors 6–20 MarchPlant out from 15 May
  21. NasturtiumStart indoors 8–22 MarchNo sourced planting-out date
  22. SpinachStart indoors 8–29 MarchNo sourced planting-out date
  23. Sweet alyssumStart indoors 8–15 MarchPlant out from 5 April
  24. Aubergine (eggplant)Start indoors 11–25 MarchPlant out from 6 May
  25. Cape gooseberryStart indoors 11 March – 15 AprilPlant out from 6 May
  26. TomatoStart indoors 11–25 MarchPlant out from 6 May
  27. Globe artichokeStart indoors 20 March – 17 AprilPlant out from 15 May
  28. Florence fennelStart indoors 25 March – 8 AprilPlant out from 6 May
  29. French marigold (tagetes)Start indoors around 8 AprilPlant out from 6 May
  30. Brussels sproutsStart indoors 17 April – 1 MayPlant out from 1 May
  31. Pak choiStart indoors 8–22 MayPlant out from 15 May
  32. KaleStart indoors 11–25 MayPlant out from 1 June

Based on the years 1991–2020, not a weather forecast. If your garden is much higher than the station, it can differ.

Planting calendar for your area
Chart for Germany: all 32 plants with the weeks from the source

Average across all German postcodes: last frost on 19 April, safe from 6 May. The weeks come from our sources and count from the last frost.

PlantStart indoorsPlant out fromSource says
Starting in February · 18
Lavender8–22 February19 April8–10 weeks before the last frost (Johnny's Selected Seeds)
Onion8–22 February22 March8–10 weeks before the last frost (Cornell Home Gardening)
Thyme8–22 February19 April8–10 weeks before the last frost (Johnny's Selected Seeds)
Rosemary*11–25 February6 May10–12 weeks before the last frost (Johnny's Selected Seeds)
Celeriac20 February – 6 March1 May10–12 weeks before the last frost, moves later with planting out (Cornell Home Gardening)
Broccoli22 February – 8 March29 March6–8 weeks before the last frost (Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County)
Cauliflower22 February – 8 March5 April6–8 weeks before the last frost (Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County)
Chervil22 February19 April8 weeks before the last frost (Johnny's Selected Seeds)
Chives22 February – 8 March–6–8 weeks before the last frost (Johnny's Selected Seeds)
Endive22 February – 8 March5 April6–8 weeks before the last frost (Cornell Home Gardening)
Kohlrabi22 February – 8 March5 April6–8 weeks before the last frost (Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County)
Lemon balm22 February – 8 March19 April6–8 weeks before the last frost (Johnny's Selected Seeds)
Parsley22 February – 8 March–6–8 weeks before the last frost (UMN Extension)
Pot marigold (calendula)22 February – 8 March19 April6–8 weeks before the last frost (UW–Madison Extension Horticulture)
Sage22 February – 8 March19 April6–8 weeks before the last frost (Johnny's Selected Seeds)
White cabbage22 February – 8 March29 March6–8 weeks before the last frost (Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County)
Chilli pepper*25 February – 11 March6 May8–10 weeks before the last frost (University of Maryland Extension)
Sweet pepper*25 February – 11 March6 May8–10 weeks before the last frost (University of Maryland Extension)
Starting in March · 10
Celery6–20 March15 May10–12 weeks before the last frost, moves later with planting out (Cornell Home Gardening)
Leek6–20 March15 May8–10 weeks before the last frost, moves later with planting out (Cornell Home Gardening)
Nasturtium8–22 March–4–6 weeks before the last frost (UW–Madison Extension Horticulture)
Spinach8–29 March–3–6 weeks before the last frost (Cornell Home Gardening)
Sweet alyssum8–15 March5 April5–6 weeks before the last frost (NC State Extension Plant Toolbox)
Aubergine (eggplant)*11–25 March6 May6–8 weeks before the last frost (Penn State Extension)
Cape gooseberry*11 March – 15 April6 May3–8 weeks before the last frost (Hudson Valley Seed Company)
Tomato*11–25 March6 May6–8 weeks before the last frost (UNH Extension)
Globe artichoke20 March – 17 April15 May8–12 weeks before the last frost, moves later with planting out (Johnny's Selected Seeds)
Florence fennel*25 March – 8 April6 May4–6 weeks before the last frost (USU Extension)
Starting in April · 2
French marigold (tagetes)*8 April6 May4 weeks before the last frost (Mississippi State University Extension)
Brussels sprouts17 April – 1 May1 May6–8 weeks before the last frost, moves later with planting out (Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County)
Starting in May · 2
Pak choi8–22 May15 May4–6 weeks before the last frost, moves later with planting out (Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension)
Kale11–25 May1 June6–8 weeks before the last frost, moves later with planting out (Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County)

* Frost-tender: worked out from the date with no more frost in 9 out of 10 years.

“–” means our sources give no spring planting-out date for this plant.

Whole year: planting calendar 2027A planting calendar with real dates: when to start tomatoes indoors, sow lettuce and plant out beans, worked out from your last frost date.

Questions and answers

When to start tomatoes indoors?

On average in Germany: 11–25 March, plant out from 6 May. The source says 6–8 weeks before the last frost. As they are frost-tender, we count from the date after which there is no more frost in 9 out of 10 years. For your area, enter your postcode or frost date above.

When to start sweet peppers indoors?

On average in Germany: 25 February – 11 March, plant out from 6 May. The source says 8–10 weeks before the last frost. As they are frost-tender, we count from the date after which there is no more frost in 9 out of 10 years. For your area, enter your postcode or frost date above.

What can I start indoors in February?

In February, on average in Germany, you start lavender, onions, thyme, rosemary, celeriac, broccoli, cauliflower, chervil and 10 more indoors. The exact dates are above.

What can I start indoors in March?

In March, on average in Germany, you start tomatoes, celeriac, broccoli, cauliflower, chives, endive, kohlrabi, lemon balm and 15 more indoors. The exact dates are above.

How does the seed starting calculator work?

Our sources say how many weeks before the last frost to start seeds. We apply that to the frost dates for your area from 30 years of German weather records. Frost-tender plants like tomatoes only go outside once there is no more frost in 9 out of 10 years, and the indoor start moves with them. On average in Germany, the last frost is on 19 April, safe from 6 May.

Sources

Show 65 sources
  1. UNH Extension: How do I know when to start seedlings indoors?
  2. University of Maryland Extension: Growing Tomatoes in a Home Garden
  3. Gartenakademie Rheinland-Pfalz (DLR): Der Gemüsegarten im Juni (Tipp des Monats, E. Hofmann)
  4. University of Maryland Extension: Growing Peppers in a Home Garden
  5. USU Extension: How to Grow Peppers in Your Garden
  6. NMSU Guide H-240: Growing Chile Peppers in New Mexico Gardens
  7. Penn State Extension: Eggplant in the Garden and the Kitchen
  8. University of Maryland Extension: Growing Eggplant in a Home Garden
  9. Hudson Valley Seed Company: Cape Gooseberries
  10. RHS Plant Finder: Physalis peruviana (F), Cape gooseberry
  11. Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County: Beginning a Vegetable Garden
  12. USU Extension: How to Grow Cabbage in Your Garden
  13. DLR Gartenakademie RLP: Aussaat- bzw. Pflanzzeiten von Gemüse
  14. USU Extension: How to Grow Cauliflower in Your Garden
  15. Sächsische Gartenakademie (LfULG): Anbau von Blumenkohl im Haus- und Kleingarten (2016, Archivkopie)
  16. USU Extension: Broccoli in the Garden
  17. Bayerische Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft (LfL): Kraut (Weißkraut, Blaukraut, Kohlrabi) im Gemüsegarten
  18. Illinois Extension: Cool-Season Vegetables (Infosheet, 2024)
  19. Sächsische Gartenakademie (LfULG): Anbau von Rosenkohl im Haus- und Kleingarten (2016, Archivkopie)
  20. USU Extension: How to Grow Kale in Your Garden
  21. Bayerische Gartenakademie (LWG): Leitfaden zum Gärtnern im Biogarten (2. Auflage 2019)
  22. Bayerische Gartenakademie (LWG): Gartencast „Den Herbst im Gemüsegarten planen“ (1. August 2023)
  23. Sächsische Gartenakademie (LfULG): Anbau von Grünkohl im Haus- und Kleingarten (2016, Archivkopie)
  24. USU Extension: How to Grow Kohlrabi in Your Garden
  25. Sächsische Gartenakademie (LfULG): Anbau von Kohlrabi im Haus- und Kleingarten (2015, Archivkopie)
  26. Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension: Bok Choy Fact Sheet (2025)
  27. SARE: Northeast Crop Production & Harvest Manual – Bok Choy and Chinese Cabbage
  28. Sächsische Gartenakademie (LfULG): Wenig bekannte Gemüsearten (3. Auflage 2017)
  29. Bayerische Landesanstalt für Weinbau und Gartenbau (LWG): Pak Choi – Asiatische Gemüse-Power (Flyer)
  30. Cornell Home Gardening: Growing Guide Celeriac
  31. Cornell Home Gardening: Growing Guide Onions
  32. Cornell Home Gardening: Growing Guide Leeks
  33. Landwirtschaftskammer Nordrhein-Westfalen: Gartentipp „Warum blüht der Porree?“ (2003)
  34. Cornell Home Gardening: Growing Guide Endive
  35. LWG Bayerische Gartenakademie: Infoschrift 2102 Gemüsearten zur Nachkultur
  36. USU Extension: Spinach in the Garden
  37. Cornell Home Gardening: Growing Guide Spinach
  38. Cornell Home Gardening: Growing Guide Celery
  39. USU Extension: Fennel in the Garden
  40. Bayerische Gartenakademie (LWG): Knollenfenchel (Merkblatt 2172, September 2016)
  41. UMN Extension: Growing parsley
  42. Johnny's Selected Seeds: Chervil – Key Growing Information
  43. Johnny's Selected Seeds: Chives – Key Growing Information
  44. Johnny's Selected Seeds: Thyme – Key Growing Information
  45. Landwirtschaftskammer Niedersachsen: 6 Fragen – 6 Antworten zu Kräuter im Hausgarten
  46. Johnny's Selected Seeds: Sage – Key Growing Information
  47. University of Maryland Extension: Care of Herbs and Starting Herbs from Seed
  48. Johnny's Selected Seeds: Lemon Balm – Key Growing Information
  49. Bayerische Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft (LfL): Kulturanleitung für Zitronenmelisse (2001)
  50. Johnny's Selected Seeds: Rosemary from Seed – Key Growing Information
  51. Johnny's Selected Seeds: Lavender – Key Growing Information
  52. Utah State University Extension: English Lavender in the Garden
  53. Sächsische Gartenakademie (LfULG): Lavendel – Ein Stück Provence im heimischen Garten (Gartentipp März 2016)
  54. UW–Madison Extension Horticulture: Calendula, Calendula officinalis
  55. Utah State University Extension: Calendula in the Garden
  56. Gartenakademie Rheinland-Pfalz (DLR): Schnittblumen aus dem eigenen Garten (E. Morgenstern)
  57. Mississippi State University Extension: Marigolds (Tagetes erecta) for the Farmer Florist
  58. UW–Madison Extension Horticulture: Nasturtium, Tropaeolum majus
  59. NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Lobularia maritima
  60. UW–Madison Extension: Sweet alyssum, Lobularia maritima
  61. Johnny's Selected Seeds: Globe Artichokes (growing instructions, PDF)
  62. Utah State University Extension: Artichoke in the Garden
  63. Bayerische Gartenakademie (LWG): Artischocke (Cynara scolymus) (Infoschrift 2170)
  64. RHS Grow your own: Globe artichokes
  65. Deutscher Wetterdienst, Climate Data Center: Tageswerte (Klima) der Stationen, historisch

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