Time line for seeds

[Maverickpro201]

When do you guys and gals start your seeds for the spring planting, up here in Missouri?

Say your - Tomatoes, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Squash, Broccoli, Colliflower, Cucumbers,  etc. 

I am thinking 1st of March might work? You have to remember I am from Central Texas area and we can grow a lot of stuff year round down there, most years.  

Thanks as I am just wanting to get things prepared in the basement with the grow light and pads.   

[Dutch]

Cantaloupe, watermelon, squash and cucumbers seed can just be planted in warm soil after the last frost.  You can get all kinds of planting information from the University of Missouri extension service, including lots of whens and hows.

[jdmidwest]

I plant lettuce in the ground around Feb 14 if not snow covered.  Most start indoor plants about 6 weeks before outdoor time.  Last frost around here is usually late April.  I put tomatoes out mid May.

[Maverickpro201]

Thanks Guy;s for the info

[oneshot]

I have Alamac Planting Guide for Lebanon,Mo and you are just about right.

They are showing last of February starting inside.

Last year I started us way early.

oneshot

[Seth]

Stagger your warm weather plantings. We've had tomatoes get zapped while out of town on a fishing trip in late May by frost and had to replant. Tomatoes were later than most but produced well. We just wait till June for that stuff anymore. I'm not one of "gotta have maters by July 4th" kind of people.

[MOPanfisher]

I don't rush on planting tomatoes anymore.  They don't like cold and will seem to stunt even if not frosted.  So I don't plant them until mid May at earliest.  Same for squash, cakes and cantaloupe.  Lettuce, radish etc. If I am on my game (unlikely) will plant in the cold frame anywhere after Feb 14th.  But the cold frame is still full of turnips that I haven't pulled yet, maybe I will get another few meals out of them first.  

[Fish24/7]

@Maverickpro201I know a guy with a green house who's got 30" tomato plants with blooms now. He's way ahead of schedule. I always try to start my tomato seeds indoors mid March. I live in Southern Mo along the Arkansas border. By the first of May they are typically 24-28" tall and ready to transplant from 1 gallon pot into their final containers or in the ground by Earth day. Sometimes we get heavy heavy rains around then so perfect timing is almost impossible here. That's why I always do a back up run of plants. Usually give them away or sell them if I don't wind up using them.

In May I'll stsrt trying some cucumber seeds oustide,but won't do any watermelon or squash until June. I don't grow cauliflower or broccoli due the the insane amount of caterpillars here it's just too much trouble. 

[Maverickpro201]

1 hour ago, Fish24/7 said:

@Maverickpro201I know a guy with a green house who's got 30" tomato plants with blooms now. He's way ahead of schedule. I always try to start my tomato seeds indoors mid March. I live in Southern Mo along the Arkansas border. By the first of May they are typically 24-28" tall and ready to transplant from 1 gallon pot into their final containers or in the ground by Earth day. Sometimes we get heavy heavy rains around then so perfect timing is almost impossible here. That's why I always do a back up run of plants. Usually give them away or sell them if I don't wind up using them.

In May I'll stsrt trying some cucumber seeds oustide,but won't do any watermelon or squash until June. I don't grow cauliflower or broccoli due the the insane amount of caterpillars here it's just too much trouble. 

I started mt tomatoe plants feb 1st. They are only now about 2'' tall. I have my grow light on them 12 hours a day, with a heat mat 24/7. Any suggestions on the best way to keep them going.

Thanks 

[jdmidwest]

I don't put plants out till middle of May here and I am 60 miles south of you at the Hillsboro address.  At your rate, you will be picking tomatoes by that time if you treat them right.

Tomatoes like heat and sun.  I have put them out early, but they never seem to perk up and take off outside till middle of May.