A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 How Soon Is Too Soon? (starting plants indoors)

It's April 24th here in Michigan, and I can't get anything outside until after frost date (May 14th) which is about 3 weeks away. How soon should I start my squash, pumpkins, and watermelons indoors? Started them too early last year and they started taking over the house!!! (then they wilted when I put them outside)

3 weeks sounds good to me!
im starting now over here too.
we did have a frost on the 14th a couple of years ago, ouch!!

Sarah,

Im trying watermelons for the first time this year and I did read that 3 weeks ahead is good for them, any longer and they dont like it. Im guessing it would be the same for the squash and pumpkins too.

Actually I had it on my calendar to plant them today.....oops! :rolleyes: Maybe tomorrow!

Karen

I started mine a week or so ago and my last frost is May 30.
If they get too big I just start some more. I've also started them right in the garden

one way to avoid the wilt/transplant shock is to fertilize them a week before the transplant.

Aye i too started mine indoors a week ago (april 18th) I'm new to this as well, but everyone that i am friends with & garden, they all said to start indoors for early yeilds 3-4 weeks before last frost (aka transferring outdoors date they tell me).

Plan on putting them outdoors (still potted) to break them in round may 10thish and transplanting a week later. You say to fertilize them a week prior to lessen the strain? Miracle grow tomatoe food work fine? and if so. . diluted mixture at all?

Wow! Thanks a lot guys! I guess I'd better get planting!!!