garden:seed-starting
Table of Contents
🌱 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
- 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 — 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: 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
- Depth: ¼“
- Germination: 5–10 days
- Heat Mat: Recommended (75–80°F)
—
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
- Space 4–6“ apart
- Rows 12–18” apart
- Water deeply first 2 weeks
- Frost hardy
—
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
- Same process as tomatoes
- Peppers take longer → heat-loving
—
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
- Night temps must be ≥ 55°F
- Stake immediately (bells get heavy)
—
February 10 – March 10 — 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 → plant early
—
April 1 – May 15 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 (4×8 Bed)
Total Plants: 12
Sweet Bells (10 total)
- 2 × Red Knight (F1)
- 2 × King Arthur (F1)
- 2 × California Wonder 300
- 2 × Big Bertha (F1)
- 2 × Sweet Banana
- + Optional rotation: Big Red (bonus pepper)
Jalapeños (2 total)
- 2 × Jalafuego (F1)
Spacing
- 18“ between plants
- 24” between rows
Support
- Stakes or cages
- Bells get heavy → support early
Tomato Bed Layouts (Two 4×8 Beds)
BED A — Indeterminate / Vertical Rope System
```text
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
garden/seed-starting.txt · Last modified: by nathna