SMFA Seed Library

Plant Lifecycles

• Annual: A plant that grows, produces seeds, and dies within one year
• Perennial: A plant that lives for more than two years, flowering year after year
• Biennial: A plant that takes two years to complete the flowering cycle, and typically flowers and fruits during the second year before dying

Sun Requirements

• Full Sun: At least 6 hours of direct sun each day
• Part Shade: 2 to 6 hours of direct sun each day, preferably in the morning
• Shade: Less than 1 hour of direct sun each day

See more common gardening terms on the Botanical Interests website.

• Seed starting timetable from John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds
• Spring planting guide from Hudson Valley Seed Company
• Find first and last frost dates for your zip code through the National Gardening Association

• 7 tips for indoor sowing article from Hudson Valley Seed Company
• Seed starting basics article from Botanical Interests
• Starting seeds indoors video from the University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension

• 5 steps to harden off seedlings article from Botanical Interests
• Seed starting and transplanting outdoors video from the University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension

• Planting and Seed-Saving Resources from the USF Seed Library
• Garden Learning Library from the National Gardening Association
• Resources from John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds