At the time I write this post, March is just a couple days away, and my mind is abuzz with all the gardening things. This is the time of year that I like to start planting seeds indoors, so the plants are strong, healthy, and thriving for transplanting after that final frost.
This post explains the benefits of starting seedlings indoors, what seeds you may want to consider starting indoors vs sowing directly, and tips for success. Let’s jump in. 🌱
Starting Seeds Indoors
Why Start Indoors?
Starting seeds indoors offers several advantages. First and foremost, it extends your growing season, particularly beneficial in regions with short summers like here in Upstate New York. By giving your plants a head start indoors, you can nurture them through their delicate early stages, ensuring robust and healthy seedlings ready for transplanting once the weather warms.
What Seeds to Start Indoors:
While many seeds can be started indoors, some varieties are particularly well-suited to indoor germination. Here are the plants that I personally like to start indoors:
- Tomatoes: They benefit from a longer growing season and can be started indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date.
- Peppers: Similar to tomatoes, peppers need a longer growing season and can be started indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date.
- Eggplants: These warm-season crops also benefit from starting indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date.
- Broccoli: Starting broccoli indoors allows for an earlier harvest. Begin 6-8 weeks before the last frost date.
- Cauliflower: Similar to broccoli and cabbage, cauliflower can be started indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date.
- Lettuce: Lettuce can be started indoors for an early spring harvest or for transplants to be placed outdoors once the weather warms up.
- Brussels Sprouts: These can be started indoors around 6-8 weeks before the last frost date.
- Herbs: Many herbs like basil, parsley, cilantro, and dill can be started indoors for an earlier harvest.
Sowing Direct
While starting seedlings indoors can very beneficial for many crops, there are also many varieties of plants that do not do well transplanting and are best to sow directly into the ground after the final frost. Direct sowing is the preferred method for crops that don’t transplant well, such as root vegetables and certain flowering annuals.
What to Directly Sow in the Ground:
- Root Vegetables: Carrots, radishes, turnips, and beets should be directly sown into the ground as they don’t transplant well.
- Beans, Corn, and Peas: These crops thrive when sown directly into the ground after the danger of frost has passed.
- Cucumbers, Squash, and Melons: These warm-season crops can be sown directly into the ground once the soil has warmed up.
Tips for Starting Seeds Indoors
- Use a good quality seed starting mix to provide your seedlings with the nutrients and drainage they need.
- Ensure adequate light for your seedlings, either through strong natural sunlight or grow lights, to promote healthy growth. If seedling aren’t getting enough light, they will get “leggy,” which essentially means they will grow long, thin stems in an attempt to reach for more light. This condition weakens the plant’s structure.
- Maintain proper moisture levels, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
- Harden off seedlings before transplanting by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions to reduce transplant shock.
Happy growing!