As winter starts to loosen its grip in Zone 6A, avid gardeners are already gearing up for the upcoming growing season. February marks the perfect time to kickstart your garden by sowing seeds indoors. In this guide, we’ll explore the essential tools you’ll need and provide detailed insights into what seeds are best to start during this early period.
Starting seeds indoors in Zone 6A offers several advantages, enhancing the success of your gardening endeavors.
- Extended Growing Season: Begin earlier to lengthen the growing season. We experience a relatively short growing season due to the risk of late spring and early fall frosts. Our growing season lasts roughly 145 days, from May 15th to October 7th. Starting seeds indoors allows you to gain a head start and extend the growing season for your plants. This is particularly beneficial for crops that require a longer time to mature.
- Temperature Control: Protect seeds from late winter and early spring temperature fluctuations.
- Early Harvests: Enjoy earlier harvests by giving plants a head start indoors.
- Protection from Frost: Shield seedlings from late spring frosts that are common in the region.
- Optimal Germination Conditions: Ensure consistent soil moisture and humidity for successful germination.
- Customized Lighting: Utilize grow lights for optimal and customizable light conditions.
- Reduced Weed Competition: Minimize competition with weeds during the vulnerable seedling stage.
- Space Efficiency: Maximize indoor space for seedlings, optimizing their growth potential.
To start seeds successfully, you’ll need a few essential tools. The flexibility of your setup can range from basic and budget-friendly to more advanced and expensive. At a minimum, you’ll require:
Seed Trays or Containers: From repurposed household items to specialized seed trays, choose a container that provides adequate space for individual seedlings.
Quality Soil or Seed Starting Mix: Ensure good aeration and moisture retention for healthy germination and seedling growth.
Humidity Domes or Plastic Wrap: Maintain consistent moisture levels by covering trays with humidity domes or plastic wrap until seeds germinate.
Grow Lights or Natural Sunlight: Depending on your budget and available sunlight, use artificial grow lights or position trays in a sunny location for proper seedling development.
Beyond these basics, you can invest in additional tools like heat mats, grow light stands, and nutrient-rich fertilizers to create a more sophisticated seed-starting environment. The key is to tailor your approach based on your budget and gardening goals.
- Seed Trays or Containers:
>>>Save your empty milk jugs, juice jugs, and oil containers. Cut them in half and fill the bottom half with soil and plant your seeds. Water and tape the top back on. This creates a mini greenhouse to keep seeds warm. Don’t place the cap back on.
>>>Save solo cups throughout the year. They work great for up-potting. Poke a hole in the bottom and fill with soil.
- Soil:
>>> Any seed starting mix will do. I get mine from Menards.
- Natural Sunlight:
>>>Place containers in a sunny location. With the plastic jugs, I place them outside where they will get the most sun and then bring them inside overnight. With the cap off you shouldn’t have to water. With rain and snow, it will keep them moist.
- Seed Trays or Containers:
>>>My husband ordered me these seed trays with humidity domes. They work really well and are still pretty budget-friendly. I use these for starting most things. For stuff that tends to get transplant shock, like summer squashes, I use these trays with my soil blocker. The soil blocker really ups your seed starting game. It is really easy to use and transplanting is so easy. You just dig a small hole and plop it in. It makes up potting tomatoes so easy. I pop the block in a solo cup and then fill it with dirt.
- Heat Mats:
>>> I got these heat mats last year and every single seed I planted and placed on them germinated. I followed my seed packet instructions and planted 2-3 seeds per cell and ended up with 200 tomato plants. If you have had issues with seed starting in the past I highly recommend them.
- Soil:
>>>Any soil starting mix will do. I also add fertilizer to each plant when transplanting. The fertilizer you use will depend on your soil. Based on my soil test I am doing a 10-10-10 in everything this year. (10 part nitrogen, 10 part phosphorus, 10 part potassium.) With the exception being tomatoes. With that, I’m doing a 23-3-3. That is based on recommendations from the test.
- Artificial Light:
>>>I got these shelves with lights before we built my greenhouse. They work really well and are stackable so you can put as many as you need high to save space. Now they sit in my greenhouse for extra shelving. We are running electricity to them to help with lighting until the days get longer.
The seed varieties I am planting can be found here.
Brassicas:
- Recommended Seeds: Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Kale
- Sowing Time: Late February-Early March. I do not start my first planting until the last couple days in February and then do a succession planting in mid-late March. I start them all at the same time. The only brassica I do not start this early is Brussel Sprouts. I wait until Mid-Late March for them.
- Tips: Brassicas thrive in cooler temperatures, making February an ideal time to start them indoors. Transplant seedlings outdoors once the risk of frost has passed.
Celery and Celeriac:
- Recommended Seeds: Celery, Celeriac
- Sowing Time: Mid to Late February. I usually start them mid-month. Celery seems to take a long time to grow in my soil so I start them early.
- Tips: These crops have a longer growing season, so starting them early indoors gives them a head start. Keep soil consistently moist for successful germination.
Leafy Greens:
- Recommended Seeds: Lettuce, Spinach, Swiss Chard
- Sowing Time: Early to mid-February. Succession plant every 2 weeks until April.
- Tips: Leafy greens prefer cooler temperatures. Begin sowing early and consider succession planting for a continuous harvest.
Green Onions:
- Recommended Seeds: Scallions, Green Onions
- Sowing Time: Mid-February
- Tips: Green onions are fast growers. Start them indoors and transplant them into the garden or containers once they reach a suitable size.
Herbs:
- Recommended Seeds: Basil, Cilantro, Parsley
- Sowing Time: Late February
- Tips: Herbs can be started indoors and provide a flavorful addition to your dishes. Ensure they receive sufficient light for optimal growth.
Annual Flowers:
- Recommended Seeds: Marigolds, Petunias, Zinnias
- Sowing Time: Mid to Late February
- Tips: Starting annual flowers early ensures a vibrant and colorful garden. Provide adequate light and maintain a warm environment for germination.
Perennial Flowers:
- Recommended Seeds: Coneflowers, Black-Eyed Susans, Perennial Salvias
- Sowing Time: Late February
- Tips: Perennials take longer to establish, so starting them indoors early allows for a more robust root system before transplanting outdoors.
February in Zone 6A presents an exciting opportunity to get a jumpstart on your garden by starting seeds indoors. With the right tools, meticulous planning, and a bit of patience, you’ll soon be rewarded with healthy seedlings ready to be transplanted outdoors as spring unfolds. Happy gardening!
