When is a good time to start planting my garden in MN?

My kids want to have a small garden this year. Partial food and partial plants. They want pumpkins, corn, carrots and sunflowers. When is a good time to start planting that garden? I was thinking of planting the seeds in cups inside earlier on and then transplanting them outside when the weather gets better. When should I start planting in cups inside? Thanks!

When is a good time to start planting my garden in MN?
I'm in Wisconsin right near you.We cannot plant until the last of May here.There is usually a hard frost late in May.The things you mentioned all like warm weather.Hot weather even.Radishes and peas like cool weather and can be planted earlier.Could start your inside planting in April.That way they should be up and ready come end of May.Can use a milk jug to put over the young seedlings when they first go outside.This protects them from the wind and cooler temps.Just rinse well and cut off the top part.Stick into the dirt around each plant.After a week can take them off.We use paper egg cartons to plant our seeds in.Then can transplant the entire thing.These break down into the soil and are not as expensive as the peat pots.This also helps prevent transplant shock to the young seedlings.Have fun and enjoy your bounty.
Reply:When depends on the instructions on the seed packets. Each type of plant has it's own time schedule. Talk to a local nursery about the date they'd recommend for planting new shoots in the ground and then, using your seed packet timelines for each plant, count backward. Plant your seeds indoors based on the number of weeks they need to grow before being planted and the correct date in your area for planting new shoots.


Fun idea...hope you get lots of reward for your efforts!
Reply:Plant in cups six weeks prior to the last frost in your area. Make sure they get plenty of light daily. A florescent light would be best. They need about 16 hours of light daily, and during the last week before planting outside, give them 20 hours of light. Keep the tops of the plants 3-4" from the light. As they grow, adjust the height of your light.
Reply:Love to see someone starting a garden for the first time.


Even though it is small, you can reap big rewards out of it. There are a few things that you must consider. Like the others said, you need to find the date of your last frost. And you need to find the date of your first frost since you live in MN. and the growing season is shorter. Example: if you plant seeds with a 90 day maturity on July first, they would be gone by October first if you had a freeze. Some things to keep in mind.


You said a small garden. Corn takes a lot of room to plant since it's pollination requirements. Pumpkins will usually need 4 to 6 feet on either side for the vines to grow. Carrots need a fine soil down to about 8" so not obstruct there development. Sunflowers are great no matter where you live. If you have the time and space, you can have a fantastic garden. One that the kids and you, will enjoy. There are so many vegetables that you can grow that it would make your head spin. Check out Gurneys on-line site and Jungs also. They are both tried and true for their seeds and plants and also info. N.Y.'s Cornell University has a web site that I have found to be very helpful.


As soon as the soil in your garden can be worked, not frozen or muddy, you can till or dig it up and plant your early season crops, peas, lettuce, spinach etc. Good Luck !!