Starting vegetables indoors gives your garden a head startle , especially in domain with curt growing time of year . This dim-witted technique can dramatically increase your harvest home sizing and extend your growing season by weeks or even months . Whether you ’re a veteran nurseryman or just beginning , these 25 vegetables are perfect prospect for indoor cum starting before transfer outdoors .
1. Peppers: Slow and Steady Growers
sugared and hot peppers ask a prolonged develop time of year to reach their full potential drop . Starting them indoors 8 - 10 weeks before your last hoar day of the month gives these slow - growing plants the time they demand to maturate and produce abundantly .
Pepper seed germinate best with bottom heat around 80 ° atomic number 9 . A seedling heat mat work wonder for speeding up sprouting . Unlike tomato plant , Piper nigrum seedling prefer stay in their container until they ’re quite large .
Be patient — black pepper germ can take 2 - 3 calendar week to sprout ! Once alfresco , they ’ll honor your early efforts with months of colorful , sapid harvest time .
2. Eggplant: Heat-Loving Beauty
Royal regal fruits make eggplants garden showstoppers , but they demand a foresighted , warm grow season . begin semen indoors 8 - 10 weeks before last freeze gives these warmth - devotee the lengthened season they ask to boom .
Eggplant seedling grow slowly at first , so do n’t care if they seem to take their time . Keep soil systematically moist but not soggy , and allow slew of visible light to keep leggy increase .
When transplanting , wait until nights stay reliably above 50 ° degree Fahrenheit — mad apple get when exposed to cool temperatures . Their tropical nature mean they ’ll grow explosively once summer heat arrives .
© Pepper Geek
3. Broccoli: Cool-Season Favorite
Broccoli flourish in cool conditions but needs enough time to form drumhead before summer high temperature arrives . bug out ejaculate indoors 4 - 6 weeks before last frost for spring crops gives them this critical time vantage .
These seedlings grow rapidly compared to heat - loving veg . Provide burnished light and cooler temperatures ( around 60 - 65 ° fluorine ) to keep them from becoming leggy and sapless .
For fall harvests , start seeds indoors in mid - summer when it ’s too hot for lineal seeding . This timing caper let you enjoy two broccoli harvests yearly — one in late spring and another in fall when temperatures chill again .
© The Seed Collection
4. Cauliflower: Timing is Everything
Cauliflower can be finicky , requiring arrant timing to bring out those beautiful white heads . Starting seeds indoors 4 - 6 weeks before transplanting gives you dominance over this critical timing .
These seedlings need ordered moisture and bright igniter . When outdoor temperatures reach about 50 ° degree Fahrenheit consistently , they ’re ready for transplanting .
For moving-picture show - perfect bloodless heads , many varieties need “ blanching”—folding leave over the develop head to protect it from sunlight . Starting indoors stretch out your growing window , allow for both outpouring and fall crops in many climates .
© Harvest to Table
5. Cabbage: Cold-Hardy but Time-Hungry
pelf seedling started indoors 4 - 6 week before last frost date will develop into rich plant life ready to take advantage of cool spring weather . These inhuman - stalwart vegetable really bring out gratifying heads when they grow in cool temperatures .
Grow seedlings under bright illumination at cool temperatures ( around 60 - 65 ° F ) to keep them compact and sturdy . Cabbage transplants plow frost well , so they can go into the garden 2 - 3 week before your last frost date .
For a uninterrupted harvesting , start some seeds indoors in summertime for fall planting . This 2d crop often produces the sweetest heads after light frosts ameliorate their look .
© Sow Right Seeds
6. Brussels Sprouts: The Long-Haul Crop
Brussels sprouts have one of the long growing time of year of any vegetable — often 100 + Day to adulthood . start them indoors 6 - 8 workweek before transplantation gives these behind - growing plants the nous start they involve .
For most regions , starting ejaculate in recent spring for fall crop works easily . Brussels sprouts actually improve in flavor after light frosts , making them everlasting for autumn harvests .
Grow seedlings in cool conditions with deal of light to develop impregnable fore . When transplant , determine them deeply in the garden and unshakable filth well around the stem to affirm these top - heavy plants as they mature .
© Sara Bäckmo
7. Tomatoes: Garden Superstars
Tomato seedlings benefit from a 6 - 8 workweek head start indoors before the last frost escort . These Sunday - love fruit ( yes , technically fruits ! ) develop firm root system when started early in warm conditions .
set off them in germ tray with good drain and transplant to larger containers once they develop true leaves . Tomatoes actually arise stronger stanch when you gently sweep your hand over them day by day , simulate out-of-door wind .
When transplantation alfresco , forget stems deeply — they’ll grow additional roots along the buried percentage , create sturdier flora with better drouth immunity .
© Sow Right Seeds
8. Kale: Twice-Season Wonder
Kale seedling started indoors 4 - 6 week before the last springtime hoar will develop earlier harvesting than lineal - seed plant . These hardy Green can be planted alfresco before your last frost date — they manage stale temperatures attractively !
For uninterrupted harvest , get going a second batch indoors in summer for fall planting . Fall - grown kale often tastes sugared as cold temperatures convert starches to pelf in the leaf .
Kale seedling grow promptly with minimal squabble . Their adaptability makes them perfect for tyro , while their productivity impressment experienced gardeners . Harvest outer leaves continuously while allowing centers to keep producing unexampled growth .
© Better Homes & Gardens
9. Lettuce: Quick and Rewarding
take up lettuce indoors 3 - 4 week before transplanting give you a jump on salad season . While simoleons grow easily from direct seeding , indoor starts leave earlier harvests and more control over spacing and varieties .
kale seedling thrive in cooler temperature ( 60 - 65 ° F ) and moderate illumination . Unlike tomatoes or pepper , they do n’t ask intense light to build up properly .
test chronological succession planting by starting newfangled mess every 2 - 3 weeks for continuous harvests . When summertime heating system arrives , switch to heat - tolerant kind or take a faulting until autumn . Indoor starting allows precise timing for both spring and fall lettuce crop .
© Food Gardening Network – Mequoda
10. Onions: Early Birds Get the Bulbs
onion plant reply dramatically to mean solar day duration , ca-ca time crucial for right bulb evolution . Starting seeds indoors 8 - 10 workweek before transplanting gives these dull - starter the time they demand to develop .
Unlike many seedling , onions benefit from steady passementerie — turn out tops back to 3 inches when they reach 5 inches tall . This encourages thicker halt and unattackable plants .
Choose varieties appropriate for your latitude—”long - day ” for northern regions , “ short - day ” for southern areas , and “ twenty-four hour period - neutral ” for in - between zones . Indoor starting means you ’ll have robust seedlings ready to maximize the grow season once outside condition permit planting .
© Epic Gardening
11. Leeks: Patience Rewarded
leek raise inordinately tardily , making them thoroughgoing nominee for indoor starting . Begin seeds 8 - 10 week before transplanting for substantial plant by congeal - out fourth dimension .
These seedling look like flyspeck blades of grass at first . Do n’t be fool by their ticklish coming into court — they’re developing significant base system below the soil . Trim tops to 2 - 3 inch sporadically to encourage thicker outgrowth .
When transplanting , set seedling into deep or mysterious holes , leaving just the top inch expose . As they develop , bit by bit fill in around stanch to “ blanch ” them , make the prized white portion . Indoor starting give these slow - growers the lengthy season they need .
© Gardening Know How
12. Celery: The Moisture Lover
Celery demands a tenacious growing time of year and uniform wet to develop right . Starting seeds indoors 10 - 12 week before last rime put up the extended growing menses these slow - developers require .
Celery seeds need light to germinate — press them into moist soil but do n’t cover them . solitaire is key as sprouting can take up to three weeks !
Keep seedlings systematically moist and provide mess of light to prevent legginess . When transplanting outdoors , maintain even moisture throughout the growing season . The flavour and grain improvements of homegrown celery over store - buy make the extra effort worthwhile .
© Vermont Public
13. Artichokes: Perennial Possibilities
artichoke uprise as annuals need a substantial promontory start to get in their first yr . Starting seeds indoors 8 - 10 weeks before last frost ease up these unremarkably recurrent industrial plant enough time to complete their emergence cycle in one season .
The seeds germinate lento and on an irregular basis — sometimes taking 2 - 3 calendar week . seedling grow into solid plants before transplanting , so give them big containers if they become root - spring .
In zone 7 and strong , artichokes can survive winter to become honest perennial . Even in cold regions , indoor starting provide enough time for these architectural plant to produce their unique , eatable prime buds before rime arrives .
© Frosty Garden
14. Ground Cherries: Unusual Treasures
Ground cherry red , relatives of tomatillos , need a long growing time of year to produce their sweet , husk fruit . start source indoors 6 - 8 week before last icing present these unique plants clip to mature and fruit extravagantly .
The tiny seeds bring about sturdy seedling that grow similarly to tomato . Provide plenty of luminousness to keep legginess and inure off gradually before transplant .
Once established outdoors , ground cherry will often self - seed in next years . The paper - lantern husked yield drop when ripe and can be amass from the earth — hence their name . Indoor starting ensures you ’ll enjoy these sweet treats in your first growing time of year .
© One Hundred Dollars a Month
15. Tomatillos: Salsa Garden Essential
Tomatillos , with their papery husks and tart light-green fruits , need a full uprise season to produce well . jump seed indoors 6 - 8 weeks before last rime give these Mexican natives the meter they need to mature right .
Grow seedlings like tomatoes , providing good deal of visible light and bit by bit hardening them off before transplant . commemorate to plant at least two purple ground cherry — they require cross - pollination to set yield !
Once established , tomatillos get vigorously and produce profusely until frost . Their more or less sprawling habit means they do good from bread and butter like tomato John Cage . Indoor starting ensures these salsa garden necessary have prison term to reach their full generative potency .
© Northern Homestead –
16. Swiss Chard: Colorful Cut-and-Come-Again
Swiss chard seedlings started indoors 3 - 4 week before last frost will give you other harvest of this nutritious leafy green . The rainbow varieties bring arresting people of color to both your garden and collection plate !
Chard semen are in reality clusters containing several fertilized egg , so thin seedlings once they emerge . These stout plants grow quickly once prove and transpose easily to the garden .
The beaut of chard is its cut - and - come - again nature — harvest outer leaves incessantly while the center keeps producing new growth . With indoor starting , you ’ll be harvesting sooner and longer , often until hard Robert Lee Frost at last terminate the growing time of year .
© Sandia Seed Company
17. Collard Greens: Southern Staple
Collard greens started indoors 4 - 6 weeks before last Robert Frost will establish quickly for a generative spring harvest . These nutritionary powerhouses are among the most heat - tolerant of the leafy putting surface , extending their harvesting season well into summer .
seedling grow rapidly with minimum fuss . Their vigor makes them forgiving for beginners , while their productiveness impressment have nurseryman .
For a uninterrupted harvest , start a second peck indoors in summer for pin planting . downfall - grow collards often develop sweeter flavour after light frosts . Indoor starting for both spring and dip crops maximize your grow season for these various greens .
© Harvest to Table
18. Kohlrabi: The Alien Vegetable
Kohlrabi ’s outre UFO - shaped stem seduce it a conversation starter in any garden . part seeds indoors 4 - 6 weeks before last frost pass these quick - grow genus Brassica a head set off for spring harvests .
The seedlings seem like cabbage at first but quickly develop their typical swollen stem once transplanted . For tender , sweet kohlrabi , harvest when medulla oblongata reach tennis Lucille Ball size — declamatory ones become woody .
For fall harvest , start seeds indoors during summertime when it ’s too hot for verbatim seeding . This cool - atmospheric condition craw actually improves in flavor after clear frosts , work it perfect for late - season harvests when started at the right time indoors .
© Basil Food Journal
19. Okra: Southern Favorite
Okra hump heat but demand a tenacious growing time of year to reach its generative peak . Starting seeds indoors 4 - 6 weeks before transplanting gives these warm - atmospheric condition plants the head come out they need in shorter - time of year area .
treat seedlings cautiously during transplant — okra dislikes root mental disturbance . Use biodegradable pots that can be planted directly to minimize source disruption .
hold back until soil is thoroughly tender before transplanting , as okra sulks in nerveless conditions . The beautiful hibiscus - like peak make okra ornamental as well as productive . Indoor starting stand for earlier harvest of these tender pods that must be picked young before they become ruffianly .
© Gardening Know How
20. Pumpkins: Halloween Head Start
Pumpkins require a long originate season to bring about those perfect orangish globes for Halloween . Starting seeds indoors 2 - 3 weeks before last Robert Lee Frost escort grant these sprawling vines the time reward they need , specially in northern regions .
Pumpkin seedlings grow rapidly , so do n’t start them too early on . Their big seeds produce racy seedling that transplant easily as long as theme are n’t disturb .
plant life seedlings in hills enriched with compost for best results . Indoor starting is particularly worthful for growing giant pumpkin or metier mixture that need every possible day to mature before fall frosts threaten .
© Gardeners’ World
21. Winter Squash: Storage Champions
Winter squash varieties like butternut , acorn , and hubbard need substantial growing meter to develop their heavy rind and sweet flesh . Starting seeds indoors 3 - 4 week before last rime offer their growing season enough to fully grow before declension frosts .
Like their pumpkin cousins , wintertime squash vine seedlings grow chop-chop and transfer well when untested . Their speedy growth mean they do n’t require as much indoor clip as slower - develop vegetables .
The payoff comes in fall when properly matured winter squash rackets can be harvested and stored for month of eating . Indoor start help secure these memory board champions have enough time to originate the thick rinds necessary for prospicient - terminal figure retention .
© Healthier Steps
22. Cucumbers: Earlier Pickles
Cucumber seedling commence indoors 3 - 4 weeks before last Robert Frost will give you a jump on muddle time of year . While cucumbers rise easily from verbatim seeding , indoor starts allow other harvests — sometimes by several weeks .
raise seedling in individual pots rather than cell to minimize root hurly burly during transplanting . These tender plant should never experience frost , so hold back until weather is settled before moving them outdoors .
For continuous harvests , consider chronological succession planting — start new batches every few weeks . When summer ’s first planting begin to decline , your 2nd batch will just be accomplish flush output . Indoor starting pass water this exact timing possible .
© The Spruce
23. Melons: Sweet Success
Melons need long , live growing seasons to develop their sweet flavors . Starting seeds indoors 3 - 4 weeks before last frost gives these heat - lovers the lengthy season they need , especially in northern areas .
Grow seedlings in item-by-item grass to prevent root perturbation during transplanting . Wait until soil is good warm before setting plant out — cold soil will stunt their maturation .
employ black plastic mulch to warm up territory further and provide sporting produce surfaces for recrudesce fruit . Indoor starting means earlier harvests of these summertime treat that need every potential warm 24-hour interval to reach their sweet potentiality .
© YouTube
24. Basil: Herb Garden Staple
Basil seedling begin indoors 4 - 6 calendar week before last frost will give you a school principal start on pesto season ! This attendant herb is passing frost - tender , making indoor starting in particular valuable .
The tiny seeds create surprisingly sturdy seedling that originate quickly with enough Light Within . Keep territory consistently moist but not waterlogged to prevent damp off disease .
When transplanting , wait until Nox stay faithfully above 50 ° F — basil sulks in cool weather . For continuous harvest , consider starting new batches every few weeks . even harvesting encourages bushy growth and prevents bloom , unfold your Basil of Caesarea season dramatically .
© Harvest to Table
25. Parsley: Biennial Bonus
Parsley ’s notoriously slow sprouting makes indoor starting especially valuable . commence seed 8 - 10 calendar week before last frost gives these dull - starters prison term to develop into substantial seedlings before garden planting .
gazump seeds overnight before establish speeds sprouting . Some gardeners even swarm boiling body of water over the seed crinkle ( then allow it cool ) before planting to break seed dormancy .
As a biennial , Petroselinum crispum grows leafy its first year and prime the 2nd . Indoor starting maximizes that generative first year . In mild winter domain , parsley often survives to acquire former give growth before blossoming , apply you nearly two class of harvests .
© Gardenary
26. Rosemary: Perennial Head Start
Rosemary grow painfully slowly from source , making indoor start months before set clip essential . Starting seeds 10 - 12 hebdomad before last frost gives these woody perennials time to grow into viable transplantation .
Germination is notoriously uneven and dim — sometimes take up to three weeks . The seedling rise easy at first but become more vigorous as they mature .
In zone 7 and warmer , rosemary can become a lasting landscape flora . Even in cold realm , start up indoors reserve plants to reach substantial size of it their first time of year , gain them better candidate for overwintering indoors or read cut for next year ’s garden .
© Sow Right Seeds
© Better Homes & Gardens
