Question –
What does “days to maturity” mean, and how does it relate to starting my seeds inside?”
Answer –
“Days to maturity” is a seemingly simple gardening term commonly used today, but there is more to it than you might initially think.
It signifies different timing for your planting, depending on whether you are direct-sowing or starting seeds indoors. It also gives you two reference points for your seed-starting efforts, boosting your chance of success when transplanting.
In general, days to maturity refers to how long a plant needs to grow before it is ready for harvest after planting in the garden.
In general, days to maturity refers to how long a plant needs to grow before it is ready for harvest after planting in the garden.
The “on average” clause used below is for a typical growing season without weather disruptions, critters, or other detrimental effects; in other words – in a perfect garden!
A direct-sown vegetable, like the Cocozelle zucchini, needs 50-60 days – on average – before you can expect to start harvesting. Plant the seed in warm soil after your last frost date; after about two months, the first fruit should be ready for harvest.
Direct-sown vegetables need warm, moist soil to germinate in. Your expected last frost date is a good starting point, but feeling the soil with your bare hand first thing in the morning is the best way to tell it’s warm enough. Place your hand on the soil, from palm to fingertips, and see how it feels. If it feels cold or uncomfortably cool after less than a minute – the soil isn’t warm enough to plant. If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for your seeds!
A pepper like the Nuevo Sandia needs 70-80 days – on average – to mature into green chile after being transplanted into your garden – not accounting for the time you sowed that seed inside. Peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant are usually started inside anywhere from six to eight weeks before your last frost date, giving them time to grow into robust seedlings that will start flowering soon after transplanting.
This chile needs about 120 days from planting the seed to the first green chile harvest and about 165 days for a red chile harvest.
Now you know more about what days to maturity is and how it affects your garden and seed!
If this whets your appetite and you want to learn more, including the two most important aspects to getting excellent seed germination and when to change them – read Starting Seeds at Home – a Deeper Look.