Once the winter holidays end, gardeners get excited to start preparing for the next growing season. While there is nothing inherently wrong with starting seeds early, more effective alternatives are worth exploring. In this blog post, we will explore these alternatives, and perhaps you will discover something that is both more enjoyable and produces better results than starting seedlings early. First, let’s examine why seeds should not be started early.
Early seed starting can be challenging
Starting seeds early can be challenging due to several factors. To begin, you will require some equipment to start seeds in the depths of winter. High-quality grow lights are essential to ensure that seedlings grow strong and healthy without becoming spindly. Heating mats are crucial to keeping seedlings warm, and sterilized soil is necessary to keep them free from bugs. You will need to care for these seedlings for 5-6 months and go through a difficult hardening-off period before planting them out. Simply put, it is more costly, and more work.
Consider why you want to start seeds so early
Consider why you want to start seeds early. If you have a heated greenhouse to plant them in, an early start is a good idea. However, if you want to get back into growing something or have had trouble with seedlings in the past, it may be better to start later. Starting seeds even earlier does not necessarily guarantee better results. Based on our experience, a later start typically brings better seedlings with much less effort.
So, if you don’t have a heated greenhouse to plant the seedlings early, starting them early is unnecessary. However, you can still do much with seeds as early as you wish.
Alternatives to Starting Seedlings Early
Many things can be grown indoors in winter instead of seedlings. Follow the link at each suggestion to read more about how to grow that.
Sprouts are the easiest to grow in any condition and bring a quick return.
Microgreens and baby salad greens require minimal equipment and effort. You can plant seeds and enjoy them in just 10-14 days. Sprouts are both nutritious and delicious.
Lettuce can be easily grown year-round. If you like lettuce a lot, try it. It is a simple and rewarding experience.
For those seeking early tomatoes, consider planting one or two early dwarf tomato plants instead of 20 seedlings. They will produce fruit before it is even time to start a garden.
You can also grow cucumbers indoors early on. In our experience, the best way to grow cucumbers indoors is in water, rather than soil, as they are thirsty plants. See the picture of a cucumber plant growing in a laundry room window.
Almost any edible plant can be grown indoors. Check out what we’ve grown over the years. If you want to grow a heat-loving plant, you will need a warm, preferably sunny location and supplemental light. If your conditions are cool and shady, stick to greens.
Advantages of starting seedlings later
Starting your seedlings later in the year can actually result in better growth and health due to brighter and warmer days. To help supplement sunlight, if you don’t have an optimal south-facing window, you can use an east or west-facing window for a few hours of direct sunlight and then supplement with a simple grow light. It’s always a good idea to keep your seedlings bug-free, but if they do become infested, it’s usually less of a problem if the seedling has been indoors for a shorter period of time. Additionally, seedlings started at a window instead of just with grow lights can be more easily hardened off, simplifying the whole seedling process. We’ve included a free printable seed starting schedule for your convenience.
In conclusion
If you’re eager to start gardening again, try these alternatives to starting seedlings early. Then, you can grow, harvest, and enjoy your plants. Happy growing!
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Winter sowing is an excellent way to start seeds in northern climes. I have had varying success with this method. It works especially great for starting seeds that re quite stratification. Also, cold frames are a great option.
Yes, winter sowing is great, thank you for bringing it up, we use it too. However, even winter sowing does not have to happen in January :).
Hi, what varieties of peppers do you grow? When do you start them indoors?
We grow several different pepper varieties, both sweet and spicy. Here you can find a list with links where to get the seeds. Also all the information around growing peppers from seed to harvest.