Benefits of Early Spring Planting in Minnesota
While it may feel like Spring is on the horizon, we know all too well that we may still face bitter cold and even (gasp!) snow. There are numerous advantages to starting seeds indoors, early for the gardening season. It extends the growing season, allowing plants to mature and yield abundant harvests. It also provides the opportunity to explore a wider variety of plants, enhancing the diversity of colors, flavors, and textures in the garden. Starting seeds is cost-effective compared to buying established plants and allows for customization based on personal preferences. It also helps gain valuable experience in seed germination and plant care. Early-sown seedlings are protected from unpredictable weather, ensuring their survival. Furthermore, early seed starting promotes sustainability by reducing the need for transportation and packaging. Overall, embracing early seed starting brings numerous benefits to gardeners. Take an extensive look into each benefit of planting seeds early in the season!
Extended Growing Season in the Garden
By starting seeds indoors, you can give yourself a significant advantage in the growing season timeline. This early head start enables your plants to develop and grow before being transplanted outside after the last frost, potentially resulting in earlier and more abundant harvests compared to plants started directly in the garden.
Greater variety of Seeds for Vegetables, Fruits, and Flowers
One of the advantages of starting seeds indoors is the expanded selection of plants it offers. Starting seeds indoors opens up a whole new world of possibilities as you can pick exactly what you want! You can explore and grow unique varieties of fruits, vegetables, and flowers that may not be readily available in your area. This gives you the chance to experiment with different flavors, colors, and textures, and adds a sense of excitement to your gardening experience. Whether it's rare heirloom tomatoes, vibrant and uncommon flower varieties, or exotic herbs, starting seeds indoors allows you to cultivate a diverse and distinctive garden that reflects your personal taste and preferences. With the freedom to choose from a wider range of plants, your garden becomes a unique and rewarding journey and experience.
Cost Savings in DIY Seed Starting
Growing plants from seeds is often more economical than purchasing seedlings or mature plants. A packet of seeds can produce many plants, providing significant cost savings compared to buying individual plants. When you opt to sow seeds, you unlock the potential for harvests from the garden at a fraction of the cost. Just picture it - a single packet of seeds bursting with potential, capable of sprouting numerous plants that will fill your garden beds with life! With a little care and nurturing, your wallet will thank you! There’s nothing like a budget-friendly package of seeds.
Customization in Your Garden
When you start seeds indoors, you have full control over the growing conditions, allowing you to customize the environment to suit each type of plant. This can lead to healthier, stronger seedlings that are better equipped to thrive once they're transplanted outdoors.
Gain Experience and Watch Your Garden Thrive
Starting seeds indoors can be a rewarding learning experience, especially for novice gardeners. It offers the opportunity to learn about the germination process, plant care, and the specific needs of different types of plants. With the ability to oversee every aspect of the growing process, starting seeds indoors puts you in the driver's seat of plant perfection. You can adjust variables such as temperature, humidity, and light, ensuring each seedling receives the optimal conditions for growth. As a result, your plants will develop sturdy roots, robust stems, and vibrant foliage, empowering them to withstand the challenges of the great outdoors and flourish in their new garden home when it’s time to be transplanted.
Weather Protection from Unpredictable Conditions in The Garden
Starting seeds indoors protects them from the unpredictable weather conditions of early spring in Minnesota, including late frosts or cold snaps that could damage or kill tender seedlings if they were planted outside too soon. This extra layer of protection ensures that your seedlings have ample time to grow strong and resilient, ready to face the outdoor challenges once the frosty grasp of winter finally loosens its grip on the land of Minnesota. Starting seeds early indoors is always an excellent choice when it comes to the unpredictable weather Minnesota gives us.
DIY Seed Starting is the Economic Choice for Sustainability
Growing plants from seeds reduces the environmental impact associated with transporting and packaging seedlings. It also allows you to choose organic or environmentally friendly seed varieties, contributing to a more sustainable gardening practice. Furthermore, starting plants from seeds opens up a realm of possibilities to embrace organic and environmentally friendly gardening practices. You have the freedom to select seed varieties that are certified organic or sourced from sustainable growers who prioritize ethical and environmentally conscious farming techniques. By consciously opting for these seed choices, you contribute to the preservation of biodiversity, support pollinators, and promote a healthier ecosystem in your own backyard. It's a small but significant way of aligning your gardening passion with sustainable ideals and doing your part to create a greener future for our planet.
Overall, starting seeds indoors during this time of year in Minnesota can help you maximize your gardening efforts and ensure a successful growing season, despite the lingering winter weather outside. So, what are some ideal plants to begin growing indoors right now? Our Garden Center professionals share their top choices:
Start Your Seeds by Planting Now!
Peppers
Herbs – parsley, cilantro, basil, chives
Celery
Brussel sprouts
Tomatoes
Eggplant
Take a look at Copper Creek’s Companion Planting Guide for insight on what vegetables, fruits, and flowers to plant together… AND what not to!
Flowers, too!
Echinacea
Lantana
And more!
Flowers are another great option to start indoor seeds early for Spring transplant. Flowers are essential to add into vegetable gardens as they attract beneficial insects and promote needed pollination for our fruits and vegetables to thrive. You can also start flowers early for later transportation into annual beds, pots, and containers.
Regardless of what you choose, keep this in mind: Seedlings get stressed when kept indoors for too long. While you can start growing veggies in February for a head start on the growing season, be sure you can get them outdoors sooner rather than later. In the chance of dramatic weather changes after planting in the ground in the Spring, keep some old sheets or frost blankets handy for when temperatures dip below 40 degrees.
Gardener’s Checklist for Seed Starting Indoors:
The Garden Center at Copper Creek in Nisswa is your one-stop-shop for starting seeds, including:
Greenhouse kit with reusable cell inserts
Seedling heat mat
Seed starter pucks (packs of 10)
See what’s in store! Shop-online! Or pick up in-store! Please note we have plenty more gardening options and products available at the Garden Center than what is available online.