====== 🌱 Garden: Seed-Starting (2026 Plan) ====== This page documents the full **2026 seed-starting and planting schedule** for Sanford, NC (**Zone 7b/8a**), including tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, onions, beans, peas, squash, and timing for all stages. ---- ===== Overview ===== * **Location:** Sanford, NC β€” Zone 7b/8a * **Indoor Starts:** Tomatoes, peppers, onions * **Direct Sown:** Cucumbers, beans, peas, zucchini, yellow squash **Main Beds / Areas** * Tomatoes β†’ *2 beds (4Γ—8 each)* * Peppers β†’ *1 bed (4Γ—8)* * Onions β†’ *1 dedicated 4Γ—8 bed* * Cucumbers β†’ *Edges of 2 beds on ramp trellis* * Beans β†’ *Fence/trellis line* * Peas β†’ *Fence/trellis line (cool season)* * Squash β†’ *1 bed (4Γ—8)* ---- ===== Week-by-Week Seed Starting Schedule ===== === January 10–25 β€” Start Onions Indoors === **Varieties** * Red Creole (short-day red) * Granex Yellow (Vidalia-type) **Seed Details** * Start in cells or open tray * Trim tops weekly to 4–5" * Harden off early (onions tolerate cool temps) * Transplant late February–mid March --- === February 1–15 β€” Start Peppers Indoors === **Varieties** * Sweet Bells * Jalafuego * King Arthur * Red Knight * Big Bertha (F1) * Big Red (new variety from Seeds ’n Such) * Sweet Banana **Seed Details** * Depth: ΒΌ" * Germination: 7–14 days * Heat Mat: **Yes** (80–85Β°F) --- === February 15 – March 1 β€” Start Tomatoes Indoors === **Varieties** * Tropic * Amelia * Mountain Rouge * Mountain Merit * Celebrity * Roma VF * Mountain Magic (fence-row) * Independence Day (extra-early) * Mortgage Lifter (large heirloom) **Seed Details** * Depth: ΒΌ" * Germination: 5–10 days * Heat Mat: Recommended (75–80Β°F) --- === March 10–20 β€” Potting Up (Indoors) === * Move tomatoes & peppers to **4" pots** * Tomatoes β†’ bury stems deep * Peppers β†’ **do NOT** bury stems deeper * Onions β†’ keep trimmed; slowly reduce indoor heat --- === February 20 – March 15 β€” Transplant Onions Outdoors === * Space 4–6" apart * Rows 12–18" apart * Water deeply first 2 weeks * Frost hardy --- === April 5–15 β€” Harden Off Tomatoes === * Begin with 1–2 hours shade * Slowly increase sun exposure * Protect from wind and cold nights --- === April 10–20 β€” Harden Off Peppers === * Same process as tomatoes * Peppers take longer β†’ heat-loving --- === April 15–25 β€” Transplant Tomatoes Outdoors === * Night temps must be **β‰₯ 50Β°F** * Install trellises before planting * Place early tomato (*Independence Day*) in sunny spot * Place large heirloom (*Mortgage Lifter*) on strong support --- === April 25 – May 5 β€” Transplant Peppers Outdoors === * Night temps must be **β‰₯ 55Β°F** * Stake immediately (bells get heavy) --- === February 10 – March 10 β€” Direct Sow Peas (Cool Season) === **Variety** * Oregon Sugar Pod II **Notes** * Plant as soon as soil is workable * Depth: 1" * Perfect for your fence line * Heat ends production β†’ plant early --- === April 1 – May 15 β€” Direct Sow Pole Beans === **Variety** * Kentucky Wonder Pole Bean **Notes** * Depth: 1" * Climb fence or trellis system * Continue succession planting until July --- === April 20 – May 10 β€” Direct Sow Cucumbers (Round 1) === **Varieties** * Diva * County Fair Improved * Long Green Improved (new variety) **Planting Notes** * Depth: ½–¾" * Location: Base of ramp trellis * All three varieties climb well --- === May 1–15 β€” Direct Sow Zucchini & Yellow Squash === **Varieties** * Dunja Zucchini * Multipik Yellow Squash **Planting Notes** * Depth: 1" * Spacing: 36–40" * Train vertically after 12–18" --- === July 10–20 β€” Replant Cucumbers (Round 2) === **Varieties** * Replant Diva * Replant County Fair Improved * Optionally replant Long Green Improved Extends cucumber harvest into fall. ---- ===== Quick Timeline Overview ===== ^ Month ^ Tasks ^ | January | Start onions (10–25) | | February | Start peppers (1–15), sow peas (10–Mar 10), start tomatoes (15–Mar 1) | | March | Pot up seedlings (10–20), transplant onions (to Mar 15) | | April | Harden off (5–20), transplant tomatoes (15–25), sow beans (1–May 15), transplant peppers (25–May 5), sow cucumbers (20–May 10) | | May | Sow zucchini & squash (1–15) | | July | Replant cucumbers (10–20) | ---- ===== Final 2026 Pepper List (4Γ—8 Bed) ===== **Total Plants:** 12 **Sweet Bells (10 total)** * 2 Γ— Red Knight (F1) * 2 Γ— King Arthur (F1) * 2 Γ— California Wonder 300 * 2 Γ— Big Bertha (F1) * 2 Γ— Sweet Banana * + Optional rotation: Big Red (bonus pepper) **JalapeΓ±os (2 total)** * 2 Γ— Jalafuego (F1) Spacing * 18" between plants * 24" between rows Support * Stakes or cages * Bells get heavy β†’ support early ---- ===== Tomato Bed Layouts (Two 4Γ—8 Beds) ===== === BED A β€” Indeterminate / Vertical Rope System === ```text ==================================================== BED A β€” 4Γ—8 β€” Indeterminate / Vertical Rope System ==================================================== ← North (Back Row) +------------------------- 8 ft -------------------------+ | | | [Roma VF] [Roma VF] [Roma VF] [Roma VF] | | | |---------------------------------------------------------| | | | [Mountain Magic] [Mountain Magic] | | [Tropic] [Tropic] | | | +---------------------------------------------------------+ Extra Options: - Mortgage Lifter (heirloom) can replace 1 Roma or go in a container - Independence Day (early) can be added at an end position for fast yield Spacing 24" between plants 18" between rows Trellis Full-length 8 ft top bar 1 rope/string per plant Weekly figure-8 wrap Light pruning for Roma === BED B β€” Determinate Slicers (NC Winners) === ==================================================== BED B β€” 4Γ—8 β€” Determinate Slicers (NC Winners) ==================================================== ← North (Back Row) +------------------------- 8 ft -------------------------+ | | | [Mountain Merit] [Mountain Merit] | | [Mountain Merit] [Mountain Merit] | | | |---------------------------------------------------------| | | | [Mountain Fresh+] [Mountain Fresh+] | | [Amelia F1] [Amelia F1] | | | +---------------------------------------------------------+ Spacing 20–24" between plants 18" between rows Support 3–4 twine levels Shorter vertical strings ===== Cucumber Trellis Layout (Bed Edges) ===== ==================================================== CUCUMBERS β€” Ramp Trellis (2 Bed Edges) ==================================================== Round 1 β€” April 20 – May 10 - Diva Γ— 2 - County Fair Improved Γ— 2 - Long Green Improved Γ— 1 (new) Round 2 β€” July 10 – 20 - Replant Diva Γ— 2 - Replant County Fair Γ— 2 - Optional: Long Green Improved Γ— 1 Notes Depth: ½–¾" Train immediately up trellis Keep lower 8–10" pruned for airflow