As winter continues in Northern Colorado (as warm as it may be right now), it may seem like spring gardening is far off, but now is the perfect time to start seeds indoors for your dream spring garden. Starting seeds early allows you to give your plants a strong head start, and with our fresh seed shipment now available at the nursery, you’ll find a variety of options for both flowers and vegetables to kick off your garden season right!
Why Start Seeds Indoors?
- Longer Growing Season: By getting a jump start indoors, you’ll extend your growing season and ensure that your plants have more time to mature.
- Better Control: Starting indoors lets you control light, temperature, and moisture, helping seeds thrive in optimal conditions.
- More Plant Options: Many plants, like tomatoes and peppers, need a longer growing period than our local outdoor season allows. Starting these indoors gives you the opportunity to grow a wide variety of plants.
When to Start Seeds Indoors
In general, seeds should be started indoors 4 to 8 weeks before your area's last frost date, which for the Front Range is typically mid-May. This gives your seedlings enough time to establish themselves before being transplanted outdoors.
For vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants, aim to start them 6–8 weeks before the last frost date. For perennials and hardy flowers like coneflowers or black-eyed Susans, start them 6–8 weeks before the frost. Annual flowers, such as marigolds and zinnias, can be started 4–6 weeks ahead of the last frost.
How to Start Seeds Indoors
Choose the Right Containers: You can use almost any container with drainage holes, such as paper milk cartons, Styrofoam cups, tin cans, or plastic trays. To make your seed-starting process easy, you can pick up a premade seed-starting kit from our nursery.
Prepare Your Soil: Use a well-drained, rich soil mix. If you’re using soil from your yard, mix it with organic matter, like compost, and add a bit of sharp sand for better drainage. To ensure the soil is free from weed seeds and fungi, bake it in the oven at 250°F for 45 minutes before using.
Plant the Seeds: Fill your containers firmly with the soil (about ¾ inch below the rim). Place seeds on the soil surface and cover lightly with soil. Follow the seed packet instructions on depth and spacing. Plant 2-3 seeds per pot for compartmentalized trays or peat pots.
Water Gently & Carefully: Small containers dry out quickly, so keep the soil consistently moist. Avoid overwatering, as soggy soil can lead to rot. Use a fine mist from a spray bottle to avoid disturbing the seeds. Water until the soil is evenly moist, but not soaking.
Provide Warmth and Light: Place your containers in a warm room (60–65°F), away from direct sunlight, until the seeds germinate. Once the seeds sprout, gradually move them to brighter light over 2–3 days. If you don’t have a sunny window, grow lights can help give them needed light.
Thin and Transplant: Once seedlings develop their first true leaves (the leaves above the seed leaves), thin them out to one plant per container. If using larger containers, transplant them into smaller pots or thin them to about 1.5 to 2 inches apart.
Harden Off Seedlings: About a week before the last frost date, start hardening off your seedlings. Gradually expose them to outdoor conditions, increasing exposure over a few days. Be sure to bring them inside if temperatures drop below 50°F.
Seed Options for Flowers and Veggies
We’re excited to announce that our new seed shipment has arrived, and we have a great selection of both flowers and vegetables ready for your garden:
- Flowers: Choose from a variety of colorful flowers, such as sunflowers, marigolds, zinnias, pansies, and lavender.
- Vegetables: Start your veggie garden with tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, and herbs like basil and parsley. We also have heirloom varieties for those looking for something unique.
Starting seeds indoors is a great way to get your garden ready for the season, especially if you’re growing plants that need a longer growing period, like tomatoes and peppers. With a little attention and care, your seedlings will be strong and ready to thrive once the outdoor growing season begins. Stop by Fossil Creek Nursery today to pick up your seeds, soil, and supplies, and get started on your best garden yet!
