The time to start seeds will vary from place to place, or zone to zone! In La Crosse, WI we garden in Zone 4B, which means the lowest temperature is between -25F and -20F.
The last frost date of the spring is roughly May 15th, but that doesn't mean it can't/won't frost after that date! On average the growing season will last from May 15 until the first frost date of the fall in mid September. Which means, the growing season lasts about 120 days.
To put that number into perspective, certain plants, like tomatoes need 60-80 days to harvest after they germinate. Certain watermelon varieties require 90 days at least!
Thankfully, a variety of seeds can be started indoors in a sunny window or under a light, 4-8 weeks before this last frost date, this helps gardeners get a jump start on the season so fruits and vegetables have time to grow before transplanting.
1. Start with a small container, a few options include cardboard egg carton, small plastic cups, seed starting grid, or small pots.
2. Fill with dirt, seed starting dirt is best as it is light and airy for new roots to easily grow.
3. Drop 1-3 seeds into each container, depending on the size of the container and the plant, you may be able to fit more.
4. Lightly cover with dirt, spray to dampen soil and place in a sunny window or under a grow light.
5. Spritz daily to wake up the seeds
Transplanting any seedlings should take place after the last frost date in your area. *Be sure to watch the weather, as young seedlings should be covered in the event that a late frost does occur.
Hardening off is essential in having success when moving plants outdoors. This involves letting plants sit outside when the temperature is over at least 50 degrees for short periods of time to allow them to become accustom to the elements.
Herbs, vegetables and fruits prefer part shade to full sun, at least 6 hours per day.
The best seeds, from my experience, to start indoors are below:
Tomato
Squash
Sage
Snapdragon
Nasturtium
Watermelon
Cucumber
On the other hand, there are certain seeds that can withstand or even prefer a certain amount of cold:
Broccoli
Lettuce- Spinach & Arugula
Brussel Sprouts
Carrots
Fennel
Overall, gardening is a fun experiment! Play around with seeds, lighting, soil and companion planting. Most of all, have fun.
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