If you live in USDA Hardiness Zone 7 or warmer, it’s time to sow seeds (indoors) of
- Onions
- Hot peppers
- Artichokes
- Celery
If your onion seed is left over from last year, pitch it out. Onion and leek seed seldom remains viable longer than one year.
How to sow vegetable seeds:
- Fill a clean, sterile flat with a soilless mix. Ideally, choose one made for seed starting.
- Moisten the mix and tamp it down firmly.
- Sow the seed according to package directions.
- Cover lightly (if indicated) with sand, perlite, or grit to thwart damping off.
- Water lightly again.
- Cover with clear plastic and place in a warm, well-lit location.
- Monitor every day or so to maintain good moisture levels. When seedlings emerge, remove the plastic covering.
If you’re looking for good varieties to try, consult Cornell’s Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners website. This citizen-science database includes reviews of thousands of vegetable varieties by gardeners across the country. You can filter results by your state, frost-free season, or soil texture.
A simple search of recommended tomato varieties for my state.
You won’t transplant these outside for some time yet, but these crops need an extra-long head start. Aren’t you glad you have some indoor gardening to do when it’s so cold and nasty outside?