|
Get an Early Head Start On These
Flowers & Veggies
| |
|
It might seem a little early to pull out your grow lights, but it depends on what you're growing. Most seeds should be sown indoors about 4 to 8 weeks before your Frost-Free Date. But some seeds need even more time to develop before being introduced to the outdoors.
Many perennials appreciate being started early to give them more time to get big and strong before they face the outdoors, which might even result in flowers their first season. And some vegetable and annual flower seeds just take a little longer to germinate and grow. Starting them early gives them that head start. So if you're itching to get your hands dirty, now is the time!
First, determine your spring Frost-Free Date HERE. Next, on your calendar, count back the number of weeks your seeds require. That will be your seed starting date. Scroll down for a handy list of crops that need an extra-early head start.
❧
Gearing up to sow some seeds? Check out our latest Seed-Starting Timetable and our annual Seed-Starting Guide to get started.
| |
|
Start These Seeds 14-16 Weeks Early
| |
|
Purple Bell Vine
Rhodochiton atrosanguineum. Purple Bell Vine yields cascading, bell-shaped two-toned flowers. It can take up to 45 days to germinate. Annual.
|
|
Rosmarinus officinalis. This aromatic herb is best raised as transplants sown indoors. The seeds may take 4 weeks to germinate. Perennial. HZ: 8-11.
|
|
Satisfy your itch to garden in the middle of winter by growing some sprouts! We offer Alfalfa, Broccoli, Radish, Mung Bean, Sunflower and more. It's fun!
|
|
|
Roselles
Roselles are a tropical form of Hibiscus grown for their tart, deep red and succulent late season calyxes that can be made into juices, jams and teas.
|
|
Polygonum orientale. This stunning plant doesn't need to be sown this early, but its seeds do need to be chilled for several weeks. Start now! Annual.
|
|
To get a small crop of Strawberries the first year, start Strawberries 16 weeks before the last spring frost date and raise as transplants. Perennial. HZ: 4-9.
|
|
Start These Seeds 12 Weeks Early
| |
Digitalis spp. Foxgloves may be started indoors ten weeks prior to transplanting out into the garden two weeks before the last spring frost date. Biennial. HZ: 4-10.
|
|
Raise Brussels Sprouts as transplants, sowing seeds in a greenhouse or a protected growing area, planting out 12 weeks before the first fall frost.
|
|
Salvia farinacea. Victoria Salvia has silvery stems with spires of tubular flowers. Start indoors 10 to 12 weeks before the last spring frost. Annual.
|
|
It is a bit challenging to grow, but Celeriac is well worth the effort. Raise as transplants 10 to 12 weeks before setting out after all danger of frost has passed.
|
|
Alcea rosea. Direct-sow outdoors after the last frost or start indoors 10 weeks before transplanting out. They may not flower the first year. Biennial. HZ: 3-9.
|
|
Finicky to start from seed, it is best grown 10 to 12 weeks before setting out after the last frost date . It must be kept well-watered and fertilized all season.
|
|
Datura metel. Start indoors 10 to 12 weeks before setting out at least 2 weeks after the last spring frost date. Tender perennial or annual. HZ: 9-10.
|
|
Start indoors 8 to 12 weeks before setting outside in your garden. They require warmth, strong light and a well-draining fertile spot. Perennial. HZ: 6-10.
|
|
Viola tricolor. A decorative edible from olden days. Start indoors ten to twelve weeks before the last spring frost date and transplant out. Perennial. HZ: 4-8.
|
|
Helichrysum microphyllum. Start transplants indoors 10 to 12 weeks before setting out after all threat of frost has passed. Plant it in full sunlight so that it can silver up for best color. Annual.
|
|
Dianthus plumarius. These sweetly fragrant edible flowers will likely bloom the first year if they are started early as transplants, 10 to 12 weeks before the last spring frost. Perennial. HZ: 3-9.
|
|
Appearing a bit like a small Parsnip, Parsley Root has a pungent, earthy taste with a complex flavor and rich texture. Start Parsley Root indoors 10 to 12 weeks before the last spring frost date.
|
|
Heliotropium arborescens. Heliotrope is an heirloom with a heady, vanilla fragrance. It prefers to be started indoors 10 to 12 weeks before the last spring frost date. Annual.
|
|
Stevia rebaudiana. Stevia is the natural alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners. Start indoors 10 to 12 weeks prior to transplanting outside after the last spring frost date. Annual.
|
|
|
Tall Verbena
Verbena spp. Verbena should be started indoors 12 weeks before transplanting out after all threat of frost has passed. Verbena requires little care, spreading out to cover its allotted space. Annual.
|
|
|
Cutting Celery
Apium graveolens secalinum. Afina is more aromatic and flavorful than regular Celery, and does not produce an enlarged stalk. Start 10 to 12 weeks early. Tender perennial. HZ: 8-10.
|
|
|
Vinca
Catharanthus roseus. Start Vinca as transplants 12 to 14 weeks prior to setting outside after the last spring frost. Durable and heat-loving, it is drought-resistant once stablished. Annual.
|
|
|
Lobelia
Lobelia erinus. Shade-tolerant, it yields plump 8" trails of little, 5-petaled, 1/2" flowers with contrasting eyes and thin, somewhat sparse, foliage. Start 10 to 12 weeks before the last frost. Annual.
|
|
Start These Seeds 11 Weeks Early
| |
|
Artichokes
Artichokes need warmth, strong light and good ventilation to grow from seed. Transplant to the sunniest part of your garden when the soil is workable. The young plants should have several weeks of cool weather to set chokes but must be protected from hard frosts.
|
|
For home gardeners, we recommend raising Leeks as transplants, since seedlings are delicate at first. You may, however, direct-sow when soil reaches over 45°F in the spring, as soon as the ground can be worked. Leeks may be grown in partly sunny spots.
|
|
Best grown as transplants: start seed indoors 8 weeks before transplanting out (2 weeks prior to the last spring frost date or in early summer for fall harvest). Cauliflower is a heavy feeder and likes sweet soil; plant in rich soil, adding dolomite lime as needed.
|
|
Start These Seeds 10 Weeks Early
| |
|
Eggplant
Eggplant is best grown as transplants. Soak seeds before sowing. Sow 8 to 10 weeks before setting out, after all threat of frost has passed and nighttime temps are above 55°F.
|
|
|
Lavender
Lavandula spp. Warmth-loving Lavender is best raised as transplants sown indoors 8 to 10 weeks prior to setting out after the last spring frost date. It prefers well-draining soil. Perennial. HZ: 4-8.
|
|
This crisp and crunchy Central American native requires a long, warm growing season. It is best started indoors prior to transplanting out except in HZ 9-10. Best grown in HZ 7-10!
|
|
|
Hibiscus
Hibiscus moscheutos. Start them indoors 8 to 10 weeks before transplanting outside after all threat of frost has passed. Provide full sun and consistent moisture throughout the season for the best results. Perennial/annual. HZ: 5-10.
|
|
Cymbopogon citratus. A tropical, aromatic, tall-stemmed grass, Lemongrass is best raised as transplants sown indoors 8 to 10 weeks prior to setting out after the last spring frost date. Tender perennial. HZ: 9-10.
|
|
Phlox drummondii. Although it may be direct sown in the garden after the last spring frost date, it is best started indoors 8 to 10 weeks before transplanting out after all threat of frost has passed. It grows best with regular watering. Annual.
|
|
|
It's Time to Plan Your Spring Seed Order!
What worked last year and what do you want to change? Are there holes in your garden design that still need to be filled? What new vegetables and flowers do you want to try? With your 2023 garden still fresh in your mind, it's time to start planning what you'll grow this year! We've added lots of new flowers, herbs and veggies to our 2024 lineup, and we can't wait to share them with you.
| |
Connect with us on our social media pages, where you'll find inspiring photos, fascinating articles, and delicious recipe ideas! | |
|
Our office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Questions? You can email us or call us at (860) 567-6086. Our seed specialists are happy to help you in any way possible. We love to talk seeds.
| |
|
Request a Kitchen Garden Seeds catalog HERE.
Learn from our Horticultural Tips HERE.
John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds
23 Tulip Drive * PO Box 638 * Bantam, CT 06750
Phone: (860) 567-6086 * Fax: (860) 567-5323
To SUBSCRIBE to our emails: Click here
To UNSUBSCRIBE: See the SafeUnsubscribe™ link below.
(If you are viewing this email in an internet browser, you may not see this link. Find your personalized SafeUnsubscribe™ link at the very bottom of the original email.)
© 2001-2024 John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds. All rights reserved.
| | | | |
