One way to get a head start on spring gardening is by starting seeds indoors between late February and April (depending on your area’s climate). This provides gardeners with homegrown seedlings to transplant after the last frost.
Did you know that not all plants should be started indoors? Certain varieties grow well when seeds are started indoors and latertransplanted, while other seed varieties grow best when directly sown outdoors. Before you plant seeds, find out which types of seeds should be started indoors and which ones should be directly sown after the last frost.
Vegetable seeds to start indoors
The following seeds typically transplant well, and can, therefore, be started indoors, according to Clemson Cooperative Extension:
The following vegetables can be started indoors, but must be carefully transplanted:
Celery
Chard
Cucumber
Melon
Peas
Pumpkin
Spinach
Squash
Flower seeds to start indoors
Just like vegetables, annual flower seeds can be started indoors, too.
Purdue University Extension provides a general list of annuals that can be seeded indoors, such as pansies, violets, asters and marigolds. Each flower has specific requirements for how soon they should be seeded. Pansies and violets, for instance, should be seeded about 14 weeks before the last frost, while asters and marigolds should be seeded about six weeks before the last frost.
Your hardiness zone will determine when you need to start indoor seeding and when you can transplant seedlings outside.
These vegetables should be directly sown after spring’s last frost. The roots of these vegetables can be disturbed during transplanting, causing hindered growth.
Pay attention to seed packet planting instructions. Follow planting soil depth listed on each packet.
Use fresh seed-starting mix.
Make sure soil temperature is consistently warm; be careful with fluctuating temperatures, especially if seedlings are grown near windows.
Place seedlings near south-facing windows.
Consider using grow lights instead of relying solely on natural light
How to start seeds indoors
Farm and Dairy online columnist Ivory Harlow offers two indoor seed-starting projects: newspaper seed-starting containers and DIY potting medium. She also includes a step-by-step tutorial for starting seeds indoors. The Old Farmer’s Almanac offers suggested seed starting dates on their website.
Why start seeds indoors?
If you’re not sure whether starting seeds indoors is a task you need to take on, consider Harlow’s advice for being able to choose from more varieties and also for saving money on growing plants.
The University of Maryland Extension says that starting seeds indoors can also increase your garden’s output, decreases pest and weather impact on plants and makes thinning out plants unnecessary.
Seeds that are typically started indoors include long season crops, like eggplants, okra, tomatoes, broccoli and kale. Some plants do not fare well as transplants or need to be transplanted at the right stage of growth so they aren't stunted by stressors.
Seeds that are typically started indoors include long season crops, like eggplants, okra, tomatoes, broccoli and kale. Some plants do not fare well as transplants or need to be transplanted at the right stage of growth so they aren't stunted by stressors.
Starting seeds in a cold frame or greenhouse is a smart and efficient way for gardeners to extend their growing season and ensure healthier, more robust plants. It allows you to get a head start on the growing season, giving your plants a better chance to thrive when they are eventually transplanted into your garden.
Lettuce – Try any variety. These will sprout quickly, and you can either use them right away as microgreens, grow baby lettuces, or transplant them outdoors to grow full heads and leaves. Turnips and radishes – As with lettuce, you can use the microgreens in the kitchen, or keep growing to get the roots later.
When should you start seeds indoors? Start seeds six to eight weeks before the last frost in your area. 2 Most plants are ready to go outside four to six weeks after you start the seeds.
The most beginner-friendly garden seeds are quick to germinate, easy to handle, and not too picky about temperature. Crops like radishes, lettuce, spinach, sunflowers, beans, peas, pumpkins, corn, and garlic are all very easy to grow from seed.
Start seeds in small, individual containers. It's best to use divided containers with a single seedling per container, rather than filling a larger container with potting mix and sowing many seeds, because the seedlings' roots will grow into each other and are likely to be injured later during transplanting.
It is traditional to soak some seeds before planting them. Soaking can accelerate germination and increase the proportion of seeds that successfully germinate. Seeds have evolved a protective coating around the embryo so the embryo can survive being dispersed by some means.
Ideally, use a mat with a thermostat so the soil does not get too hot. Many seeds prefer a soil temperature between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Provide water as necessary to keep the soil moist before germination and during the seedling stage.
A pencil is a handy tool to make a hole and determine the correct depth. You can measure the point of the pencil ahead of time to denote a quarter or half inch. Place your seeds in the hole and bury them. Usually, you want to plant two or three seeds per hole because not every seed will germinate.
Okra seeds germinate in 3-4 days time and an Okra plant has a lifespan of 6 months. The height of this plant can reach up to 2 meters. Therefore, it is important to make sure that you have adequate space prior to planting Okra. It is a nutritious food with many health benefits.
Some seeds like Allium 'Purple Sensation' and Eryngium giganteum need a long period of cold-moist stratification with alternating temperatures. These are the most difficult seeds to germinate.
It's official: beans, peas, and pumpkins are among the top ten easiest plants to grow from seed, according to a list created by the Home Garden Seed Association. Also on the list: cucumbers, zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, lettuce, radishes, and squash.
Certain varieties grow well when seeds are started indoors and later transplanted, while other seed varieties grow best when directly sown outdoors. Before you plant seeds, find out which types of seeds should be started indoors and which ones should be directly sown after the last frost.
But, starting your seeds too soon is still a problem. How? Seeds sown too early will result in bigger plants which then need to be potted up into bigger containers which quickly take over your seed starting area/house and cost you more money is potting soil, organic fertilizer and pots.
If you can't wait to sink your hands into the dirt, don't wait any longer—at this point, you can begin planting some of your favorite veggies! There are plenty of seeds that you can start indoors in February, and even a few that you can direct-sow outdoors.
Introduction: My name is Chrissy Homenick, I am a tender, funny, determined, tender, glorious, fancy, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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The following vegetables can be started indoors, but must be carefully transplanted:
Here are some indoor seed starting tips from University of Minnesota Extension:
Farm and Dairy online columnist Ivory Harlow offers two indoor seed-starting projects: newspaper seed-starting containers and DIY potting medium. She also includes a step-by-step tutorial for starting seeds indoors. The Old Farmer’s Almanac offers suggested seed starting dates on their website.