What and when to plant in Central Va

June 16, 2026

In Central Virginia, you can comfortably start seeds in trays all the way through mid-to-late August!

Because our first killing frost usually doesn't arrive until late October or early November, planting in mid-summer gives you a massive second window for the growing season. The main shift is what you are planting. Right now in June, you are transitioning out of your main spring push and heading toward your late-summer and autumn crops.

The Summer-to-Fall Seed Starting Timeline

Here is how to space out your tray-starting over the next two months to keep your garden beds packed and productive all the way into winter:

1. Mid-June to Early July (The Final Summer Waves)

This is your last call for fast-maturing summer crops or cut flowers that you want to harvest before the cold hits.

 Flowers: Sunflowers, zinnias, and cosmos. Starting these in trays now means they will be robust enough to transplant out in July and will bloom beautifully throughout September and October.

 Herbs: Fast growers like basil and cilantro.

 Vegetables: Summer squash, zucchini, and cucumbers. Starting a fresh round in trays protects the fragile babies from the intense June squash bugs and cucumber beetles, giving you a clean, heavy harvest in late summer.

2. Mid-July to Early August (The Brassica Window)

This is the most critical time for your autumn vegetable garden. You start these in trays during the hottest part of summer so they are ready to go into the ground just as the weather begins to cool.

 What to sow: Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, collards, and Brussels sprouts.

 Why trays are mandatory here: Trying to sprout tiny, delicate broccoli seeds directly in the scorching July garden soil is brutal. Starting them in trays in a shaded, protected area allows you to baby them until they are strong enough to handle the garden beds in late August.

3. Mid-to-Late August (The Fall Greens)

This is your final round of tray-starting for the calendar year, focusing on quick-growing leafy greens that will thrive in the crisp autumn air.

 What to sow: Head lettuce, Swiss chard, bok choy, and spinach.

4. Rules for Starting Seeds in the Summer Heat

Starting seeds in June, July, or August is a completely different ballgame than starting them under grow lights in March. Because the ambient temperature is already high, you need to adjust your setup:

 Ditch the Heat Mats: Put your seedling heat mats away for the year. The summer air is more than warm enough to trigger germination. In fact, if soil gets too hot (above 85°F), seeds like lettuce will actually enter a thermal dormancy and refuse to sprout at all.

 Seek Out Bright Shade: Instead of putting your trays under hot, direct summer sun—which will dry out the soil cells in a single afternoon—keep your summer trays in an area that gets bright, indirect light. A covered porch, a shade house, or the north side of a building is perfect.

 Check Moisture Twice a Day: Because evaporation happens at lightning speed in the summer, shallow tray cells can dry out completely in a matter of hours. Keep a close eye on them and water gently from the bottom to keep the soil consistently damp.

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