Grow Your Own Veggies From Seed: Planting Guide for Zones 7a & 7b

Growing your own vegetables from seed can be rewarding and cost-saving!

We get a special thrill nurturing plants from teeny tiny seeds into their full-grown glory. This is especially true when we’re growing vegetables and other edibles. The payoff is the thrill of eating something you grew yourself… And an edible garden can be quite cost-effective.

When should you plant vegetable seeds?

STEP ONE: Know your zone! If you’re in the inland plains of Virginia like Reston Farm Garden Market, you’re in planting zones 7b.

STEP TWO: What veggies do you want to plant? Like people, veggies have their own wants and needs. Some do better in cooler temps and some prefer the hot heat of summer.

STEP THREE: Are you able to start seeds indoors? If so, you can get a head start on the growing season and transplant seedlings once the temps are suitable. However, not all veggies like to be transplanted — some require seed-sowing directly where they’ll grow (like carrots).

To help you plan, here’s a seed-planting chart with some of the more popular veggies.

If you “row cover” (literally a cover to protect a row of plants from cold, wind and pests), you can plant one to two weeks earlier in the spring and one to two weeks later for fall harvest in all regions. 

HAPPY GROWING!

We look for area farms to partner with and are so happy to work with the folks at Southern Exposure Seed Exchange.

Their 72-acre farm is nestled in the rolling hills of central Virginia, between Richmond and Charlottesville, where they have goats, chickens, hayfields, an herb garden, and extensive vegetable gardens for seed production, trialing and (best of all!) eating.

Based on their experience in central Virginia, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange has found the dates in the chart provided to be the best times to plant in the inland plains of the mid-Atlantic (average last spring frost is April 15th, average first fall frost is October 15th). Please adjust according to your own zones and frost dates.

Want more? Find more articles on all your gardening needs.

How to Build an Easy and Safe Fire Pit

How to Build an Easy and Safe Fire Pit

Fire pits are not too difficult to build and you don’t need any fancy equipment. We’ll walk you through the steps to do it yourself…

Autumn Garden Beauties You’ll Fall For

Autumn Garden Beauties You’ll Fall For

In our zone 7 area here in Reston, Virginia area, we are crazy about these show-off plans for fall garden beauty. Mums, violas, pansies, flowering kale and croton are a few of our favorites. See how these can liven up your fall garden.

Fall cocktails filled with fall flavors are more fun!

Fall cocktails filled with fall flavors are more fun!

Grab jars of Reston Farm Garden Market's own Bonita's Apple Butter and Big White's Apple Cider for the makings of two delicious signature cocktails: Harvest Mule & Appley Married.

Fall is the Best Time to Plant Perennials for a Strong Spring Showing

Fall is the Best Time to Plant Perennials for a Strong Spring Showing

As our planet faces the challenges of changing weather patterns and warming temperatures, it's becoming increasingly important to adapt our gardening practices to ensure sustainability. One of the most effective ways to create a resilient and beautiful outdoor space is through xeriscaping.

Fall is the Best Time to Plant Trees and Shrubs

Fall is the Best Time to Plant Trees and Shrubs

Planting trees and shrubs in the fall gives your new trees and shrubs a better chance for good root development before winter.

Fall in Love with These Autumn Garden Container Ideas

Fall in Love with These Autumn Garden Container Ideas

Dive into our curated collection of seasonal designs and plant combo ideas to transform your space with autumn's rich colors and textures.

August and September is Time to Plant Your Fall Veggies

August and September is Time to Plant Your Fall Veggies

Reston Farm Garden Market is here with all the things you need to help you successfully grow and harvest your food, from plants to soils to amendments.

Garden Trends 2024: Get Back to Nature and Go Wild!

Garden Trends 2024: Get Back to Nature and Go Wild!

The trend of “rewilding” is gaining momentum this year. If you haven’t heard of this, it’s essentially what it sounds like: returning your garden to a more “wild” state, and managing it in a way that allows nature to play a bigger role in your landscape design.

Creating Drought-Tolerant Yards and Gardens: The Case for Xeriscaping in the Mid-Atlantic

Creating Drought-Tolerant Yards and Gardens: The Case for Xeriscaping in the Mid-Atlantic

As our planet faces the challenges of changing weather patterns and warming temperatures, it's becoming increasingly important to adapt our gardening practices to ensure sustainability. One of the most effective ways to create a resilient and beautiful outdoor space is through xeriscaping.

The Perfect Match: Plants and Their Pollinators

The Perfect Match: Plants and Their Pollinators

Have you ever wondered why particular plants attract particular pollinators? 🌸 It’s like nature’s very own matchmaking service, ensuring that each plant and their pollinator partner thrives. Take a look at some of these plant-pollinator pairings so you can cultivate your garden so it becomes a buzzing, fluttering paradise.

The Power of Pollination: Why It Matters and How You Can Help

The Power of Pollination: Why It Matters and How You Can Help

Did you know that pollinators are responsible for bringing us one out of every three bites of food? It’s their critical participation in pollinating flowering plants that make this possible. In addition to the food we eat, pollinators support healthy ecosystems that clean the air, stabilize soils, protect from severe weather, and support other wildlife.

How to Create a Pollinator Paradise in Zone 7

How to Create a Pollinator Paradise in Zone 7

Are you ready to transform your yard into a buzzing haven for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators? Our zone 7 offers a fabulous climate for a wide variety of plants that attract and support our vital pollinator friends. 🌼 Let’s dive into the delightful world of pollinator gardening and discover how to create a vibrant, valuable garden that’s brimming with life.

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Public Gardens You’ll Want to Visit in Maryland

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Public Gardens You’ll Want to Visit in Virginia

Public Gardens You’ll Want to Visit in Virginia

From northern Virginia, to the coast and west towards the mountains, Virginia has a wealth of amazing public gardens to visit! There's something for all tastes in our home state, and inspiration about for every season. We've curated a list of our faves along with photos we just want to dive into.

Public Gardens You’ll Want to Visit in Washington, DC

Public Gardens You’ll Want to Visit in Washington, DC

When you're looking for inspiration for your garden design, plant selections, companion plantings and landscape design, don't miss checking out our local botanical gardens, arboretums and other public-garden spaces. We've gathered a comprehensive list of great places to visit in Washington, DC where you'll find plenty of inspiration and good vibes. Best of all, many are free and open year-round!

Are Native Plants a Good Choice for Your Home Garden & Landscape?

Are Native Plants a Good Choice for Your Home Garden & Landscape?

If you're on the fence about all this "going native" talk, and not sure its worth the effort to choose native plants, this is the read for you!

Coreopsis: Perennial with Plenty to Offer

Coreopsis: Perennial with Plenty to Offer

Coreopsis is a no-fuss flowering friend, forgiving to beginners, and a colorful companion throughout the growing season with over 100 species.

How To Start Your Own Rain Garden

How To Start Your Own Rain Garden

You can improve rainwater absorption (less puddles in your yard!) AND have a beautiful & beneficial space by creating a downspout garden.

What Are The Benefits of Rain Gardening?

What Are The Benefits of Rain Gardening?

You can improve rainwater absorption (less puddles in your yard!) AND have a beautiful & beneficial space by creating a downspout garden.

A Downspout Garden can be Downright Beautiful

A Downspout Garden can be Downright Beautiful

You can improve rainwater absorption (less puddles in your yard!) AND have a beautiful & beneficial space by creating a downspout garden.

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Hosta: Proven Winners’ Shadowland® Coast to Coast

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Roses: Proven Winners’ Oso Easy Double Red®

Roses: Proven Winners’ Oso Easy Double Red®

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Proven Winners Eco+ Pots for the Win!

Proven Winners Eco+ Pots for the Win!

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Russian Sage: Proven Winners’ Denim ‘n Lace

Russian Sage: Proven Winners’ Denim ‘n Lace

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Rose Mallow: Proven Winners’ Summerific® “Holy Grail”

Rose Mallow: Proven Winners’ Summerific® “Holy Grail”

When it comes to flowers, blue is always a harder color to find. Which is just one reason why the Blue Chiffon® Rose of Sharon is such a spectacular plant. Plus, they just cover the plant when they start to bloom about mid-summer usually lasting right through our first hard frost.

Rose of Sharon: Proven Winners’ Blue Chiffon®

Rose of Sharon: Proven Winners’ Blue Chiffon®

When it comes to flowers, blue is always a harder color to find. Which is just one reason why the Blue Chiffon® Rose of Sharon is such a spectacular plant. Plus, they just cover the plant when they start to bloom about mid-summer usually lasting right through our first hard frost.

Plan Your Garden Around the Color Wheel

Plan Your Garden Around the Color Wheel

When designing your garden's color pallette, use color-wheel theories for a stronger, more focused theme. Check out these inspirational gardens.

Smooth Hydrangea: Perennial Shrub with Easy-Care Nature

Smooth Hydrangea: Perennial Shrub with Easy-Care Nature

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Cinnamon Fern: Easy Perennial with Seasonal Interest

Cinnamon Fern: Easy Perennial with Seasonal Interest

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Turn Your Winter Blues into Garden To-do’s

Waiting for spring to arrive? There are plenty of things we can do now to plan for a new, a better, a more fruitful season in our gardens. It's time to start planning!

Have you Introduced Zook’s Homemade Pot Pies to Your Mouth?

Have you Introduced Zook’s Homemade Pot Pies to Your Mouth?

Look for Zook's Homemade Chicken, Sausage and Beef Pies in the refrigerated section of our market.

What are USDA Plant Hardiness Zones and Why Are They Important?

What are USDA Plant Hardiness Zones and Why Are They Important?

When we say a particular plant is suited for Zone 7b, do you know what we’re referring to? The United States Department of ...

Bonita’s Apple Butter Oatmeal Bars Recipe

Bonita’s Apple Butter Oatmeal Bars Recipe

Come on over the Garden Market and stock up on Bonita’s Apple Butter so you can make your own delicious apple butter oatmeal bars!

Deer-Resistant Plantings: Proven Winners® EZ Scapes™ Plant Combo

Deer-Resistant Plantings: Proven Winners® EZ Scapes™ Plant Combo

Oh, deer… If you have deer nibbling on your precious plants, we have an EZ Scape™ easy recipe to share from our friends at Proven ...

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Foliage for Shade: Proven Winners® EZ Scapes™ Plant Combo

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Your Guide to Pruning Hydrangeas in the Fall

Knowing when to prune is critical to strengthening flowering on the different hydragea varieties; some bloom on new wood and some bloom on old wood.

Let’s Make Some Sweet & Crunchy Honeycomb Brittle

Let’s Make Some Sweet & Crunchy Honeycomb Brittle

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Colorful & Fragrant Shrubs to Plant in the Fall

Colorful & Fragrant Shrubs to Plant in the Fall

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7 Things to Do in Your Zone 7 Garden in August

7 Things to Do in Your Zone 7 Garden in August

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Are Bad Bugs a Growing Problem in Your Garden?

Are Bad Bugs a Growing Problem in Your Garden?

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How to Identify and Address Powdery Mildew

How to Identify and Address Powdery Mildew

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How to Get Berry Good at Raising Healthy Blueberry Bushes

How to Get Berry Good at Raising Healthy Blueberry Bushes

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Quenching Your Plants’ Thirst: How to Properly Water Your Plants

Quenching Your Plants’ Thirst: How to Properly Water Your Plants

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Layer Gardening: When You Can’t See the Forest For the Food

Layer Gardening: When You Can’t See the Forest For the Food

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Things are Looking Up With Vertical Gardening

Things are Looking Up With Vertical Gardening

Use a vertical garden to define a particular space, say a wall, a screen, or a length of fence. Creating a vertical garden can be as simple as you want.

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Herb Gardening: How to have a Scratch and Sniff Garden

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Are You Ready to Rock Garden?

Are You Ready to Rock Garden?

Whether you have natural rock formations in your garden or not, you can create a beautiful rock garden. And the best part: Rock gardens can be low-maintenance.

Get the Low-Down on Low-Maintenance Shrubs & Plants

Get the Low-Down on Low-Maintenance Shrubs & Plants

Looking for garden and landscaping options that don't take a lot of care? Consider these low-maintenance shrubs and plants for stress-free landscaping.

AquaPots®  Keep Your Plants Happy and Healthy

AquaPots® Keep Your Plants Happy and Healthy

With an AquaPot, you don't have to worry about under or overwatering your plants. Get the best of both worlds: convenience and beauty.

Organic Lawn Care Tips (Thanks, Espoma!)

Organic Lawn Care Tips (Thanks, Espoma!)

Organic lawn care focuses on growing a healthy lawn, which helps defend it against insects and diseases. Healthy lawns begin with healthy soil. Learn how...

Your Mulch Questions Answered

Your Mulch Questions Answered

How much mulch do I need? What is the best kind of mulch to use? What kinds of mulch are there? We have answers to your mulching questions!

Design Your Garden for Year-Round Blooms & Interest

Design Your Garden for Year-Round Blooms & Interest

Your garden is constantly changing with plants cycling in and out of bloom. Synchronize blooms and growth for year-round interest with a little planning.

Happy Gardens Love Espoma’s Line of Organic Fertilizers

Happy Gardens Love Espoma’s Line of Organic Fertilizers

As gardeners, we know that making sure our soil is healthy and filled with the right nutrients is one of the most important things we can do. That’s why we love Espoma’s line of organic fertilizers, compost and soils.

Yummy Baked Apple Recipe

Yummy Baked Apple Recipe

Apples have been called nature’s perfect snack. We especially love ‘em baked with brown sugar and cinnamon, served with vanilla ice cream.

Easy Raised Beds and Container Gardening with Root Pouch

Easy Raised Beds and Container Gardening with Root Pouch

Root Pouches offer so many benefits for your raised bed and container gardening! Made from recycled material. Allows plant roots to breath. Moisture and temperature control. See why you should use these!

Make Your Yard Stay-cation Worthy With Tropicals

Make Your Yard Stay-cation Worthy With Tropicals

Add these tropicals to your northern Virginia garden and you'll have a garden worthy of a staycation retreat. Three of our faves are Croton, Caladiums and Palms.

Do you want more peace and tranquility in your garden? Just say “Zen.”

Do you want more peace and tranquility in your garden? Just say “Zen.”

If you’re interested in creating your very peaceful, very relaxing, very beautiful Zen garden space, we can help you.

Reston Farm Garden Market Contributes to ‘Plant a Better Tomorrow’ Program

Reston Farm Garden Market Contributes to ‘Plant a Better Tomorrow’ Program

The “Plant a Better Tomorrow” program raised $14,500 in 2021. "We are so excited to be a contributing part of this effort. There are so many families in need of help, that we want to contribute in the most profound way possible."

Ideas for Using Dark Foliage Plants in Zone 7A

Ideas for Using Dark Foliage Plants in Zone 7A

Looking for ways to help your vibrant and colorful plants stand out in the garden? The trick is pairing them with dark foliage counterparts. We have four stunners that will help your garden sing.

Reston Farm Garden Market Carries Raw Honey from Golden Angels Apiary, VA

Reston Farm Garden Market Carries Raw Honey from Golden Angels Apiary, VA

Golden Angels Apiary specializes in raw honey and is one of the most well-regarded apiaries in Virginia.

Let’s Plant a Spring Moss Container

Let’s Plant a Spring Moss Container

When freezing temps have passed, but it might be too early to start planting in the ground, consider creating a moss-lined container with cool-temp blooming & loving plants. Garden Answer Laura shows us how!

Say “Welcome” With a Beautiful Fall Porch

Say “Welcome” With a Beautiful Fall Porch

Autumn is one of our favorite seasons! We love decorating our front porches with the textures and colors of fall. Check out these ideas and inspiration for YOUR porch and home entrance.

Perennials Offer Style and Convenience

Perennials Offer Style and Convenience

Perennials perfect for those gardeners who like consistency and/or have limited time to spend in the garden. Usually having a shorter blooming cycle compared to annuals, try mixing different kinds to establish a blooming pattern. Get zone 7 perennial suggestions...

Proven Winners’ Supertunia Mini Vista® Pink Star Petunia

Proven Winners’ Supertunia Mini Vista® Pink Star Petunia

Our Supertunia petunias are stunning annuals that make excellent container and landscape flowering plants. They're super easy to care for, are heat tolerant and drought resistant. Listen to Garden Answer Laura explain why you need these lovelies!

Reston Diggs Local Business Spotlight on Reston Farm Garden Market

Reston Diggs Local Business Spotlight on Reston Farm Garden Market

Rob Chavez from Reston Diggs interviews Bonita Weinstein to get the dirt on the evolution of this family-owned and operated Reston, Virginia business. Around this garden center, we're growing joy every day.

Salmon Paninis Need This Secret Ingredient

Salmon Paninis Need This Secret Ingredient

Try our tangy Sweet Pepper Relish and Apple Cider Mustard to your sandwich creations and you'll never go back to mayo and plain ol' mustard.

The secret ingredient behind Berry Delicious Razzle Sauce is….

The secret ingredient behind Berry Delicious Razzle Sauce is….

Use our Red Raspberry Preserves to create a yummy drizzle for your grilled fish, shrimp, pork and more. Visit Reston Farms Garden Market for yummy foods, gorgeous plants and plenty of smiles.

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We are the legendary Reston Farm Garden Market, originally established in 1976. Located in Reston, Virginia, we’re passionate about serving our local Northern Virginia community by providing premium annuals, perennials, natives, herbs, veggie plants, and shrubs; organic gardening supplies; locally-sourced farm-fresh goods, and family fun. We hope to see you soon!

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