The Time Has Come to Start Seeding Your Plants Indoors

It might still be bone-shatteringly cold where you live, but believe it or not, spring is right around the corner. This is the time to start dreaming of the lush and abundant gardens we’ll soon have and pray that Mother Nature will be kind to us this year.

Starting your garden plants as indoor seeds is a fantastic project for any gardener, and a great activity to get the entire family involved, especially on days when you can’t go outside. Buying seeds also provides you with far more color and size options than you would typically find with seedlings.

As gardeners, we vow to always do better than the previous year and not let these late winter/early spring dates slip by us. To help you stay on top of your gardening schedule this year, we’ve put together this handy seed starting guide for your reference.

When should I start seeding my plants?

One of the most challenging aspects of gardening is understanding the sheer diversity that exists in plant life. While some seeds will germinate almost overnight, others can take weeks if not months to show any signs of growth.

We’ll cover many of the more popular varieties of flowers and vegetables and when to seed them below, but when in doubt, read the information on the back of your seed packet for exactly when to start seeding. If it doesn’t specifically reference indoor seeding, it’s most likely a hardier, cool-season vegetable that can tolerate the colder soils and temperatures of your garden.

If you can’t find your specific flower or vegetable variety, use this handy seed starting calculator. Just enter the frost-free date in your area and it will calculate for you exactly when to sow your seeds and transplant them outdoors.

February

February is a great time to start gathering your seed starting materials, as most nurseries have already gotten their shipments in and are even running sales on certain items. Be sure you have your seeds, peat pots, misters, lights, heated mats, and any other supplies you may need for the year.

Plants to start seeding in late February:

• Pansies
• Violas
• Impatiens
• Leeks
• Onions

March

In Minnesota, most annual flowers and heat-loving vegetables can be started in mid-to-late March. This will ensure your flowers are ready to bloom by early summer and your vegetables are ripened in time for harvest and before the first fall frost.

Plants to start seeding in March:

• Dahlias
• Petunias
• Cabbage
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Brussels sprouts
• Peppers
• Eggplant
• Okra

April

April is often the final month to start indoor seeding. Once May rolls around, your focus will be on moving your seedlings out to the garden. A good rule of thumb for when to move your seedlings outside is after the last frost date, which is typically sometime between May 10–31 in Minnesota.

Plants to start seeding in April:

• Marigolds
• Zinnias
• Tomatoes
• Lettuce
• Kale
• Squash
• Cucumbers
• Melons

May

May is the time to begin hardening off your plants. Essentially, hardening is the process of gradually exposing your seedlings to their outdoor conditions. This is a very important step that you don’t want to skip because it enables your transplants to withstand the environmental changes they will soon face and greatly increases their chance of survival.

If you’ve never hardened your seedlings before, this Burpee guide goes into great detail on what to do and when.

Dundee Nursery has all your seed starting needs covered

Whether you are new to gardening or looking to find your favorite seeds, the garden experts at Dundee are here to help. We have all the seeds and materials you need to get your garden off to a great start!

Visit our website to view our full catalog of seeds or call or stop by our Plymouth location to talk with a friendly representative about your specific seed starting needs.