Even though there may still be snow on the ground, it’s never too early to get started thinking of your garden for this coming summer! Whether this is your first year attempting a garden or you’re a seasoned expert, there are lots of things to research and think about to improve your gardening experience.
There are a few good reasons for considering starting seedlings indoors. First, starting their growth inside in the warmth gets a jump start on the growing season, and can add several weeks to your harvest, especially in areas with extended winters.
Second, it saves money to start your plants from seedlings–young plants are much more expensive than a packet of seeds, some plantable pots, and soil are. You also have much more control over the quality of your plants when you grow them from seeds. This is especially important if you’re interested in organic gardening.
Last, you may be able to grow seeds for plants that you would normally never be able to find in your local nursery. This is a great way to add variety and new specimens to your garden or home!
So what are some plants to start from seedlings? Really any plants can be, but here are some that will benefit from a jump start on the growing season.
Peppers
Peppers are an easy vegetable to grow in your garden, and there are many varieties available in flavor, size, and spiciness. They are resistant to a lot of bugs and pests in the garden, and they benefit from being started as seedlings indoors in mid-March.
Pepper plants need a temperature of 70 degrees to germinate, so make sure they are in a warm spot in the house. Plant three seeds per pot, and thin out the least healthy ones as the plants begin to grow.
Tomatoes
These are another warm season crop that benefit from some extra growing time indoors. Tomatoes are extremely easy to care for and grow, and there are many varieties to choose from!
Tomatoes do need a lot of heat and sun, so if you’re worried about your seedlings, try to borrow or buy a heating pad for underneath the seedlings until they sprout, and a heat lamp for over them to make sure they get six hours of sunshine a day.
Melons
Cantaloupe and watermelon are two fruits that will yield a great harvest during the summer, and that harvest can be as long as possible if you start the seeds indoors. They are extremely fragile as seedlings, so they definitely need to be kept warm inside until the threat of frost is over.
Herbs
Herbs can be grown anytime of year, but starting them in the spring for a summer garden is a great idea to get as many fresh herbs into your summer food as possible! Basil, cilantro, parsley, oregano, lavender, thyme, and rosemary can all be started in small pots during the winter, and transplanted outside in the spring!
Whenever you start seedlings, you’ll usually end up with more plants than you need, but that can become a perfect way to share the growing love with your family, neighbors, and friends! A mature herb or vegetable plant can be a fun gift anytime in the spring or summer!
If you need help making room for your gardening area, or just want to tackle some clutter before the warm spring months arrive, give us at Self Assured Storage a call! We are experts at taking good care of your things by storing them safely in a unit, so you can get back to doing what you love!
