Finding the right seed and planting time

There are many different types of seeds available. Not only are there different varieties of the same plant, there are different ways the seeds are produced. There are cultivar (cultivated variety which can be a hybrid or open-pollinated); genetically engineered; genetically modified; open-pollinated; hybrid; heirloom and of course organic. For more information on this, visit www.ezfromseed.org/.

Here's some of the top seed and nursery catalog companies:

www.gurneys.com seed and nursery

www.seedsavers.org nonprofit heirloom seeds

www.burpee.com since 1881 seed and nursery

www.jungseed.com since 1907

www.johnscheepers.com since 1908

www.reneesgarden.com

In Southeast Michigan, it is time, actually past time, to plant peas, potatoes, lettuce, onions, radishes and parsley, and of course the greens: spinach, Swiss chard, kale, etc... 

The plants aforementioned can actually be planted outside as soon as the ground is workable, usually in mid-March, this year it was late March.

Broccoli, cabbage, celery, kahlrabi, Brussels spouts and cauliflower plants can be planted outside at this time.

But it's best to wait until mid-May to plant beans and squash seeds outside.

Then, wait until late May to plant the eggplant, peppers and tomato plants. It seems if you put these plants outside while it's still cold, the plants will grow slowly until it warms up and be wimpy, defeating the early planting.