Picking the Right Seeds

Some flowers are easier to seed indoors than others. Good flowers to choose from are pansies, asters, violets, and marigolds! Each flower has a requirement for how soon they should be seeded. For example pansies and violets should be seeded 14 weeks before the last frost, as opposed to marigolds and asters that need to be seeded only 6 weeks before the last frost.

However, if you are more interested in planting vegetables the following are vegetables that can be seeded indoors and typically transplant well; cabbage, cauliflower, kale, brussels sprouts, broccoli, pepper, cucumber, melon, pumpkin, tomato, celery, and spinach. 

You can choose pretty much anything, just pay attention to the seed packet instructions. Follow closely as to how deep to place the seed in the soil and what size the pot should be used and make sure to use a fresh seed-starting mix and keep the temperature of the soil consistently warm if you can. It would be beneficial to place the seedlings near south-facing windows, and even consider using grow lights to keep the temperature in the right range.

Transplanting the Seedlings Outdoors

When the time is right and you are ready to transplant your seedlings outdoors, it's best to start slow and gradually move them to a sunnier location in your home each day. If you already keep your starter plants in a sunny spot you can take them outside and place them in the shade.

Remember to take special care of your seedlings when exposing them to the environment. For example they will not have been exposed to much wind so far, so when you take them outside placing them behind a windbreak to prevent damage as they toughen up would be a good measure to take. If your seedlings begin to wilt take them back inside or move them to a shadier area and try acclimating them more slowly.

You’ll want to be sure to monitor the weather and keep an eye out for unexpected cold snaps causing a late spring frost. You can cover your plants with row covers or buckets to keep the seedlings warm overnight and the frost off of them. 

When you are ready to transplant your seedlings it is important to try to leave the roots as undisturbed as possible. Biodegradable pots are one way to make the process smoother.

After you transplant it is always a good idea to provide your plant with a bit of shade for three to five days post planting which helps to prevent “transplant shock”. Transplant Shock is a condition that causes plants to wilt quickly after they were transplanted as they are unable to adjust to their new home.

Where to Find Seeds