Spring is around the corner—time to plant your seeds!

Spring always arrives faster than we think. And in the Hudson Valley, the gardeners who get the best jump on the season are the ones who “plant their seeds” early—literally and figuratively. Every year I watch the same pattern play out: the moment the first mild weekend hits, everyone wants seeds, soil, tools, and answers… all at once.

This guide is my step-by-step roadmap for what to plant, when to plant it, and what conditions matter most—using products from Ace whenever possible so you can get everything in one stop and NAIL IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.

And if you want personal guidance? Our associates are ready to help at all Williams Lumber and Home Centers locations: Rhinebeck, Hudson, Hopewell Junction, Tannersville, Red Hook, Pleasant Valley, and High Falls. 

Step 1: Start with timing (use your last frost date as your “anchor”)

Most seed-starting schedules work backward from your area’s average last frost date. A common rule of thumb is that many annual vegetables are started indoors about six weeks before last frost, with variations depending on the crop. 

If you’re unsure where to begin, our garden and lawn associates can help you pick a realistic plan based on your space (windowsill vs. grow-light setup), how much you want to grow, and how much time you actually have.

Step 2: Late winter into early spring — start seeds indoors

This is where you “plant your seeds” and build momentum while it’s still cold outside.

What to start indoors first (the slow growers)

Start these indoors earlier because they take longer to mature:

• Peppers
• Tomatoes
• Onions (from seed)
• Some herbs (parsley, thyme)

A practical guideline many gardeners follow: start longer-season crops 6–12 weeks before last frost, especially tomatoes and peppers. 

Ace Hardware products that make indoor starting easier

To get strong, compact seedlings (not tall, floppy ones), focus on warmth, moisture control, and light:

• Seed-starting trays / peat pots / seed-start kits (easy organization + easy transplanting)
• Seed-starting mix (lighter than potting soil; better germination)
• Spray bottles or gentle-watering cans (avoid washing seeds out)
• Plant labels (you’ll forget—everyone does)
• Grow lights (if you don’t have a bright south-facing window)

Pro tip from our associates: Warm soil + consistent moisture beats “more water.” Keep the mix damp like a wrung-out sponge, not soaking wet.

Step 3: As soon as the soil is workable — direct-sow cool-season crops outdoors

The moment your garden beds can be worked (not muddy, not frozen), you can begin sowing cool-season crops. These are plants that prefer chilly nights and will struggle once summer heat arrives.

What to plant early outside

• Peas
• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Arugula
• Radishes
• Kale
• Broccoli (transplants can go out early too)

Many spring planting resources emphasize March/early April for cool season crops as soon as soil conditions allow. 

Conditions that matter

• Soil: workable and not saturated
• Sun: most veggies want 6+ hours
• Protection: be ready for surprise cold snaps

Ace Hardware products to make early planting succeed

• Garden soil/raised bed mix + compost (build fertility fast)
• Row cover or frost cloth (instant protection for surprise nights)
• Mulch/straw (stabilizes soil temp and moisture)
• Trellis/netting for peas (start right, save headaches later)

Step 4: Harden off seedlings before transplanting (don’t skip this)

This is the step that separates thriving plants from stressed plants.

Hardening off means gradually acclimating indoor seedlings to wind, sun, and outdoor temperature swings. Many gardeners start about two weeks before transplanting, slowly increasing outdoor exposure day by day to reduce transplant shock. 

Ace Hardware helpers for hardening off

• Plant stands or trays (easy to move in/out)
• Shade cloth or light row cover (gentler sun transition)
• Thermometers (so you stop guessing at night temps)

Step 5: After frost risk drops — plant warm-season favorites

Warm-season crops hate cold soil. They’ll just sit there… or fail.

What to plant after last frost (or when nights warm up)

• Tomatoes
• Peppers
• Cucumbers
• Squash / zucchini
• Beans
• Basil
• Annual flowers (depending on variety)

Pro tip from our associates: Our associates say a safe bet is to plant after Memorial Day. 

Conditions that matter

• Soil warmth: warm-season crops want warmed soil (not just warm air)
• Watering: deep, consistent watering beats frequent splashes
• Support: stake/cage tomatoes early so you don’t damage roots later

Ace Hardware products that help this stage

• Tomato cages, stakes, soft ties
• Soaker hoses or drip kits
• Timers (if you travel or just want consistency)
• Fertilizers suited to vegetables and flowers
• Pest prevention supplies (because they arrive right on schedule)

Step 6: Keep it simple with a “one-weekend” planting plan

If you want the easiest approach, here’s the rhythm I recommend:

1. This week: indoor seed-starting setup + cool-season seed packets
2. Next mild weekend: prep beds (soil + compost) and sow peas/greens/radishes
3. Two weeks before transplanting: start hardening off
4. After last frost: transplant tomatoes/peppers + direct sow beans/cukes

And throughout it all, lean on our teams—because the fastest way to waste money is guessing.

Why Williams Lumber and Home Centers makes spring projects easier

Ace Hardware products are fantastic—but what really helps customers succeed is having an associate you can talk to. At Williams Lumber and Home Centers, our lawn & garden and hardware teams help you:

• choose what to plant (based on your timing and space),
• match products to the job (soil, seed-starting, tools, protection),
• and walk out with everything you need the first time.

Visit us in Rhinebeck, Hudson, Hopewell Junction, Tannersville, Red Hook, Pleasant Valley, or High Falls. 

Spring is around the corner. It’s time to plant your seeds—and with the right plan and the right products, you’ll NAIL IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.

— Kimberley Williams
SVP of Retail Operations and Marketing
Williams Lumber and Home Centers

Make a plan to visit one of our seven Williams Lumber locations today!

Rhinebeck | 6760 Rte 9 | 845.876.WOOD
Hudson | 3679 Rte 9 | 518.851.3641
Hopewell Junction | 908 Rte 82 | 845.221.2751
Tannersville | 34 Bloomer Rd | 518.589.5200
Red Hook | 9-11 East Market St | 845.758.5615
Pleasant Valley | 2424 Rte 44 | 845.605.3520
High Falls | 317 Kyserike Rd | 845.687.7676