Spring Planting-Summer Harvest: Start indoors Mar/Apr or direct-seed in late Apr/May. Harvest in 2-3 months.
Summer Planting-Fall Harvest: Start indoors or direct-seed late May-early June. Harvest in Sept/Oct.
Summer Planting-Spring Harvest (overwinter): Start indoors or direct seed June/July. Harvest next Apr/May.
 
Seeds will germinate at 45º F to 85º F. In the soil, seeds will germinate at temperatures as low as 40º F. It will take 4 to 7 days for the seedling to emerge.
 
Raising Transplants: Expensive hybrid seed will grow a strong plant from almost every seed, so are best raised as transplants. Put seeds about 1/2cm deep in sterile starting mix. Separate seedlings into individual 8cm (3") pots after 3 weeks. When plants have 4-8 true leaves (5-8 weeks old), harden them off and plant in the garden. Set plants deeper in the soil than they were in pots, right down to the healthiest big leaves.
 
To direct seed: Place 3-4 seeds in each spot you want a plant to grow. After a few weeks, thin to the strongest plant.
 
Keep soil warm (about 75º F), until germination. Then keep plants around 60º F. Provide direct sun so plants don't get leggy. When plants are 4 to 6 weeks old, transplant into garden 12 to 20 inches apart.