It might still be cold outside, but now is the perfect time to start planning your vegetable garden for the year ahead! Getting a head start indoors means stronger plants, earlier harvests, and better protection from unpredictable spring weather. But when should you start, and which crops benefit from an early indoor sowing? Let’s dig in!
When to Start?
The key is to match your indoor sowing to when plants can safely go outside. Most seeds need 6-8 weeks of indoor growing before transplanting, so work backwards from your last frost date. In Cheltenham, this is typically mid-to-late May, meaning many seeds can be started from late February to early April.
What to Start Indoors?
Some plants thrive when given a head start indoors, while others are best sown directly in the soil. Here are the best candidates for indoor sowing:
Tomatoes & Peppers – These warmth-loving crops need a long growing season. Start them from mid-February to early March on a sunny windowsill or under grow lights.
Cucumbers & Courgettes – These fast-growing plants do well if started in April, but don’t plant them out too soon—cold nights can stunt them.
Lettuces & Salad Leaves – If you’re eager for early greens, sowing indoors now will give you fresh leaves much sooner! These can go outside from April onwards.
Brassicas (Cabbage, Kale, Broccoli, Cauliflower) – Start in February or March for strong, healthy plants ready to go into the ground as soon as the soil warms up.
Aubergines & Chillies – These need a long growing season, so the earlier you start (January to early February), the better!
Runner Beans & French Beans – Quick growers that can be started in April and planted out in late May.
Some crops, like carrots, parsnips, radishes, and peas, don’t like being transplanted and should be sown directly outside when the soil warms up.
Get Your Garden Ready!
It’s not just about seeds—good soil prep is essential too! If you need help getting your veg beds ready, composting, or even setting up a new growing space, Marcus Bergin Gardening is here to help!
Let’s get growing!
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