How to Start Seeds Indoors in the Winter

How do you grow seeds indoors in the winter? Gather clean containers, such as seed trays, peat pots, or flats. As an alternative, you may choose to go DIY and add drainage holes to recyclable plastic egg cartons. Add equal parts vermiculite and perlite to soilless peat moss to create your own soil for seed starting.

Can you start seeds in winter?
Can I grow seeds indoors over winter?
Can seeds germinate in cold weather?
What is the best way to start seeds indoors?
How warm does it have to be to start seeds indoors?
What seeds can I sow in winter?
Can I start seeds in December?
At what temp do seeds germinate?
Can you start seeds indoors in January?
What temperature will kill seedlings?
Does frost kill seeds?
Will seeds die in frost?

Can you start seeds in winter?

Winter seed sowing gives you a jump start on the growing season! Starting seeds indoors while it's still cold and snowy outside starts with dusting off your gardening gloves and getting a little dirty as you prepare your seeds for this pre-spring process.

Can I grow seeds indoors over winter?

Sowing seeds indoors allows tender plants to be started off earlier in the season. When they have grown into young plants, they can be planted outside in the garden or vegetable plot once the weather is warm enough. Sowing seed indoors.

Can seeds germinate in cold weather?

Cool-season crops can be planted when the soil and air temperatures are at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit. ... Hardy vegetables tolerate cold temperatures the best—their seeds will germinate in cool soil, and seedlings can typically survive heavy frost.

What is the best way to start seeds indoors?

How to Start Vegetable Seeds Indoors

Purchase your seeds from a trusted source. ...
Pot with seed-starting mix. ...
Make sure your containers have drainage holes. ...
Plant seeds at the proper depth. ...
After sowing, set the containers in a warm location. ...
Keep seed-starting mix moist. ...
As soon as seedlings emerge, place pots in a bright location.

How warm does it have to be to start seeds indoors?

For seeds to germinate, most must be kept warm: about 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. A favorite place to keep seeds warm in order to germinate is on top of the refrigerator. Or, you can purchase seed-warming mats to place under the seed trays.

What seeds can I sow in winter?

Most can be planted or sown directly outdoors to ensure that your winter vegetable garden is fully stocked.

Onions and Shallots. Autumn planting onion sets are easy to grow and will virtually look after themselves over winter. ...
Garlic. ...
Spring Onions. ...
Perpetual Spinach. ...
Broad Beans. ...
Peas. ...
Asparagus. ...
Winter Salads.

Can I start seeds in December?

With that in mind, here's a brief list of easily started cool- and warm-season vegetables for this spring's garden along with a window of time within which their seeds can be started indoors: broccoli (start seeds in December), lettuce (anytime now through January, after which sow directly outside), cauliflower ( ...

At what temp do seeds germinate?

Most seeds germinate when the soil temperature is between 68(and 86(F. Once germination occurs, the optimum growing temperature for theseedling is about 10(F cooler than the optimum germination temperature. Moisture is critical for germinating seeds. They like a moist but not soggy environment.

Can you start seeds indoors in January?

The cool growing season is in full swing in January for Zones 9 and 10. Indoor Vegetables and Herbs: Start seeds of eggplant, kale, lettuce, melon, peppers, squash, tomatoes, and basil, so that transplants will be ready to harden off, as the weather heats up.

What temperature will kill seedlings?

The general rule of thumb is that most plants freeze when temperatures remain at 28°F for five hours. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. Seedlings, with their tender new leaves, often give up the ghost when temperatures dip to 32-33°F.

Does frost kill seeds?

Grass seed itself is relatively temperature resistant. If grasses go to seed in the fall, the seeds lay dormant in the soil all winter and sprout in the spring. ... Therefore a single, solid frost all winter will not kill seeds, but an irregular cycle of freezing and thawing can.

Will seeds die in frost?

If a seed is damaged by cold temperatures, drowns or dries out after germination begins it is not likely to survive and grow. Germination is directly related to moisture and temperature. Seeds cannot germinate without moisture – this is why pre-soaking seeds speeds sprouting.