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Starting Early Vegetable Seeds

tomato seedling Ramsay Thomson FlickrCC2.0 sm
Photo: Tomato seedlings/Ramsay Thomson/FlickrCC

It’s almost time to start growing again. Are you ready to start seeds for the spring vegetable garden? Get your supplies ready now to get a head start on the season.

  • Seeds to start in February: Onions, Leeks, Celery, Early Tomatoes
  • Seeds to start in March: Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chinese Cabbage, Lettuce, Peas, Peppers
  • Seeds to plant in the garden in March: Peas, Spinach, Radish, Onion Sets, Shallot Sets, Potatoes
  • April gets busy.The early seedling crops you’ve grown will be ready for the garden. Carrots and beets and many more vegetables can be sown outdoors, and warm-season crops, like melons and squash, can be started indoors.
  • Discover the best times from February to September to start seeds and plant vegetables in your garden by clicking here for our vegetable planting chart.

books about growing vegetablesWhat do you need to start vegetables indoors?
* A clean well lighted space of course – a bright southern window or indoor grow lights and shelves.
* You will need at least 6-8 hours of bright light. For grow lights set the timer for 12-16 hours of light.
* You may want to get warming mats if your growing space tends to be cold.
* Clean containers for starting seed are a must to avoid seedling diseases. Almost any container will work, but seed-starting trays with lids are very handy.
* Get good quality seed-starting mix for sprouting the seeds and early transplanting into small pots.
* When you are ready to sow the seeds, read the information on the seed packets carefully. Different vegetables have slightly different growing requirements for temperatures, light or dark, or how deep to plant.

Have questions about starting seeds? Our helpful staff is ready and excited to talk with you. New gardener or experienced grower, we are here to help you get growing this spring. Come see us!

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