As the days seemingly get shorter and the wind starts to whisper hints of winter in our ear, it is confirmation that our summer gardens are finished for the season. So what is a gardener to do when this starts? First, make sure to winterize your garden by following the steps in this article. After that is done, don’t let the winter woes get you down, you can still work on your garden from inside!
Many vegetables thrive when you seed them inside with intent to transplant outside once the spring sun has returned. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, some of these vegetables include broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes . You can also buy a variety pack of vegetable seeds. When starting your seeds inside, you want to err on the side of abundance. Unfortunately, not all of your seedlings are going to survive the transplant process–so make sure you plant enough to have a plentiful summer vegetable garden.
Where you live should dictate when you start this process. You should start 4-6 weeks before the final anticipated freeze of the season. If you live in a warmer climate, this will be earlier in the season so that you can get your garden transplanted before the soul crushing summer heat becomes too much for your poor veggies.
When seeding, remember to read the package for how deep to plant them and how many seeds to plant together. Once that is established, grab your all-purpose potting mix and get started! You can begin your seedlings in an old egg crate if you have one or you can purchase some plug trays. If you are purchasing, you have the option of basic plug trays , something with humidity control , or something that comes with the soil plugs pre packed . Make sure you have window space where your plants can get sun or invest in a grow light to make sure they are getting the light they need to grow. Make sure to rotate your seedlings so they evenly get the light they need.
Make sure to tend to your baby seedlings by watering properly, adjusting your grow light height, and even talking to them occasionally. Vegetable gardens are such a beautiful concept: you give life to something that is going to give life to you. Enjoy this process, and when you are ready to transplant–take special care with the roots.
I know it may be a little extra work, but starting some of your veggies indoors gives you some extra weeks with a garden that is actually producing vegetables. You will definitely be thanking yourself as you bite into that fresh tomato early in the season.
If this intrigues you, here are the links again (as Amazon affiliates, we get a little $ through qualifying purchases!).
Broccoli Seeds
Brussel Sprout Seeds
Cauliflower Seeds
Eggplant Seeds
Pepper Seeds
Tomato Seeds
Garden Vegetable Seed Variety Pack
All-Purpose Potting Mix
Basic Plug Trays
Seed Tray with Soil Plugs
Plug Tray with Humidity Control
Grow Light
