Most 21st century gardeners do not have time to study the moon gravitational forces. So there has been a publication in print for many years called the Farmer's Almanac. It is typically on sale in the first 5 months of each New Year.

Now there is an Internet site where you can check for yourself. This can be found at http://store.farmersalmanac.com. At this site, each month the dates for planting below ground crops, above ground transplants, seeds etc. are set out by region. The regions parallel the time zones or the growing zones in the USA.

For example, in August 2007, the 1st is a favorable day for planting root crops like turnips, carrots, potatoes, etc.
The 2nd and 3rd are barren days, do no planting.
The 4th thru the 6th are good days for root crops. They will yield well if planted on these days.
The 7th and 8th predict any seed planted now will tend to rot.
The 9th and 10th are the most favorable days for planting beets, onions, turnips, and other root crops and seed beds and flower gardens.

This web site goes week-by-week and month-by-month each year.

Another good resource is the seed package that you purchase. On the back of a package of lettuce for instance, you will read, "Sow as soon as soil can be worked in the spring." Specialists agree that you need to know soil temperature and moisture to know when the best time is to plant.

Some older gardeners would throw lettuce seeds on the melting snow. This is not recommended but they claimed it would work. Each vegetable type has a best time and best condition to plant it.

If you are planting kale or peas, they prefer cool season to grow. They grow faster and have fewer problems with diseases than in hot weather. Warm season crops like tomatoes and eggplants. If the soil is too cool, then germination will be slowed plus the leaves on the small plants may be exposed to soil disease attacks.

If there is too much moisture, the seed could rot. If it has too little moisture, they may not germinate. Some soil that is too wet can actually drown a seed. Also working wet soil can result in dirt clods that may take years to break down again in certain types of soil.

A good behavior to watch for is: when do native trees start to bloom and weeds begin to grow. For example, the early peas can be planted when the pussy willows bloom and the chickweed blooms. Make sure, though, that the soil is not too wet.

Nature tells you better about planting than any seed packet. If you need a head start, begin with a raised bed. These will drain water better by their design.

You can also warm the soil by covering your beds with sheets of black plastic for a couple weeks before you plan to begin your garden. Remove plastic before planting or plant seedlings by poking holes in the plastic for them to come up.

Using clear plastic and constructing a tunnel also helps with warming the soil. Rebar and PVC pipe to support the plastic, is a method that has been used for years. This is great for protecting early vegetable beds. Plus this will warm the soil.

Some steps to boost your garden include:

1 Know your average `last frost' date. The local extension office where 4H books are located, often gives charts like this.
2 A soil thermometer is ideal to find the temperature of your soil. All you need to do is stick the thermometer into the soil and take the temperature for a few days. A good idea is to depend on an 8-inch probe.
3 Test your soil moisture. Dig down 4-6 inches and grab a hand full of soil. Squeeze it into a ball. Try to crumble it between your fingers and if it will not crumble, the soil is probably too moist. Wait a few days and try again. If the soil crumbles easily then it is ready for planting. If it slides through your fingers it is too dry. Soak the soil and try again after it has drained. Plant once it has shows to be prepared by crumbling in your hand easily.
4 Add organic fertilizer regularly. Compost, cover crops etc all worked into the soil improves its physical condition. Also your seeds will germinate better, and roots will grow better.

These are some good tips for when it is the best time to start your garden.