🌱 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 — Zone 7b/8a
Indoor Starts: Tomatoes, peppers, onions
Direct Sown: Cucumbers, beans, peas, zucchini, yellow squash
Main Beds / Areas
Tomatoes → *2 beds (4×8 each)*
Peppers → *1 bed (4×8)*
Onions → *1 dedicated 4×8 bed*
Cucumbers → *Edges of 2 beds on ramp trellis*
Beans → *Fence/trellis line*
Peas → *Fence/trellis line (cool season)*
Squash → *1 bed (4×8)*
Week-by-Week Seed Starting Schedule
January 10–25 — Start Onions Indoors
Varieties
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 — Start Peppers Indoors
Varieties
Seed Details
Depth: ¼”
Germination: 7–14 days
Heat Mat: Yes (80–85°F)
—
February 15 – March 1 — 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
—
March 10–20 — Potting Up (Indoors)
Move tomatoes & peppers to 4” pots
Tomatoes → bury stems deep
Peppers → do NOT bury stems deeper
Onions → keep trimmed; slowly reduce indoor heat
—
February 20 – March 15 — Transplant Onions Outdoors
April 5–15 — Harden Off Tomatoes
Begin with 1–2 hours shade
Slowly increase sun exposure
Protect from wind and cold nights
—
April 10–20 — Harden Off Peppers
April 15–25 — Transplant Tomatoes Outdoors
Night temps must be ≥ 50°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 — Transplant Peppers Outdoors
February 10 – March 10 — Direct Sow Peas (Cool Season)
Variety
Notes
Plant as soon as soil is workable
Depth: 1“
Perfect for your fence line
Heat ends production → plant early
—
April 1 – May 15 — Direct Sow Pole Beans
April 20 – May 10 — Direct Sow Cucumbers (Round 1)
Varieties
Planting Notes
—
May 1–15 — Direct Sow Zucchini & Yellow Squash
Varieties
Dunja Zucchini
Multipik Yellow Squash
Planting Notes
—
July 10–20 — Replant Cucumbers (Round 2)
Varieties
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 (4×8 Bed)
Total Plants: 12
Sweet Bells (10 total)
Jalapeños (2 total)
Spacing
18“ between plants
24” between rows
Support
Tomato Bed Layouts (Two 4×8 Beds)
BED A — Indeterminate / Vertical Rope System
BED A — 4×8 — 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 — Determinate Slicers (NC Winners)
BED B — 4×8 — 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 — Ramp Trellis (2 Bed Edges)
Round 1 — April 20 – May 10
Diva × 2
County Fair Improved × 2
Long Green Improved × 1 (new)
Round 2 — July 10 – 20
Replant Diva × 2
Replant County Fair × 2
Optional: Long Green Improved × 1
Notes
Depth: ½–¾"
Train immediately up trellis
Keep lower 8–10" pruned for airflow