Month: January 2026

When the seed catalogs start arriving in the mail after the New Year, placing your order early is a good idea, especially if you are after more unusual varieties. But when it comes to starting seeds, whether it’s indoors to get a head start on the growing season or whether it’s direct-seeding outdoors, there is such a thing as being too early.

Here’s what gardening experts say about which seeds you shouldn’t start in the dead of winter and why.

Tomatoes, Eggplants, and Peppers

To determine when to start the seeds indoors, count back six to eight weeks from the last average frost date in your area. Owen Taylor, the founder of Truelove Seeds, starts pepper and eggplant seeds in late February or early March. This can be earlier or later for your location depending on your last frost date.

Cucurbits

The members of the cucumber family (summer squash, zucchini, cucumber, melon, and watermelon) are also warm-weather crops. Most cucurbits germinate and grow fast so if you start them too early, the plants will be in urgent need of transplanting even though it may be too cold.

“Hold off on starting the seeds of fast-growing crops such as squashes and melons until April,” Taylor says. “That way, they are ready for a mid-May transplant into the garden after the last danger of frost.”

Elise Pickett, the founder of The Urban Harvest, says waiting out the cold weather also applies to southern crops like luffa gourd that thrive in the hot and humid Florida climate where she gardens.

Basil

Because basil is highly sensitive to cold—it needs daytime temperatures above 70°F—delay the seed starting until six to eight weeks before the last average frost date in your area to prevent scraggly transplants.

The only exception is if you have a sunny windowsill or strong grow lights that let you bridge the time until it’s time to transplant basil outdoors.

Beans

Because beans don’t transplant well, they cannot be started from seed indoors but must be directly seeded in the garden. They also need warm soil, at least 70 to 80°F, to germinate.

For Taylor, this means that mid-to-late May is bean planting season, depending on the weather. The same waiting period for beans applies in the south.

“Winter is prime growing season for much of the south but not for beans,” Taylor says. “They need very specific conditions: warm soil temperatures, longer daylight hours, and warm days.” 

Sweet Potatoes

Vegetables that are grown from seed are not the only ones that may stretch the patience of an eager gardener.

“Sweet potatoes do amazingly well in our Florida climate,” Pickett explains. “But they need the warmer spring months to be planted in the garden, or they will not germinate.”

If you don’t want to wait for soil temperatures to reach 60 to 85°F, growing sweet potato slips indoors gives you a head start on the growing season.

Annual Flowers

Taylor explains how heat-loving annuals like zinnias, marigolds, and cosmos are also not suitable to start in the middle of the winter.

Just like the vegetables, you’ll need to wait six to eight weeks before the last average frost date and then plant them in the garden after the last danger of frost. 

Source: The Spruce©

photo credit: © The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Buying bags of soil from a store is quite costly, which can amount to over a hundred dollars for large garden beds. Turn garden and kitchen waste into useful material for filling raised garden beds, allowing you to save a substantial amount of money. You can also repurpose fallen tree branches or dead branches cut from trees instead of carting them away or burning them. The organic waste will decompose over the years, enriching the soil and providing steady nutrition for plants to use.

Soil Temperature: While compost is decomposed by bacteria, hugel beds are primarily decomposed by fungi. As the organic matters decompose, they will heat up and create a microclimate under the plants, and warm the raised garden bed soil, which can be very helpful in colder climates.

Planting a mix of annuals can bring instant color and depth to your garden. They are generally easy to grow, often self-seeding, and can transform your outdoor space with minimal effort. Whether you prefer fragrant flowers, vibrant colors, or edible plants, these annuals are sure to enhance your garden’s beauty.

Lantana

Grown as an annual in the Midwest, lantana is a must-have for pollinators. Its flat-topped “landing pads” consist of clusters of colorful tubular blooms in single and multiple colors. These floriferous plants endure summer’s heat and drought conditions. Try compact varieties like Lucky Sunrise Rose (12-16”) or trailing varieties like Lantana sellowiana. Lucky’s v-shape makes it a good companion for interplanting with other container plants.

Pro Tip: For maximum blooms, flowering annuals need a sunny location with 6 hours or more of sunlight. Otherwise, they cannot build up enough sun energy to fully flower.

Scaevola

This annual features an ongoing display of fan-shaped flowers from early summer until frost. The prolific plants thrive in sun-drenched areas with their thick, drought-tolerant stems.

While scaevolas come in pink, white and blue, a favorite is ‘Blue Fan’, pictured above, since blue flowers are rare among drought-tolerant plants. (Height: 12-14”)

Pro Tip: Some flowering annuals like scaevola may self-pollinate in mid-season and produce seedheads instead of blooms. This happens when two varieties such as a blue scaevola and a white scaevola are planted side by side. To avoid this bloom halt, stick with a single scaevola variety like the ‘Blue Fan’ scaevola in this mixed container.

Salvia

Salvia plants can be both annuals and perennials. Generally, salvia is considered an evergreen perennial, but some species may behave as annuals in colder climates where they cannot survive frost. With over 900 varieties, gardeners can find salvia that suits their hardiness zone, allowing for both classifications depending on the specific conditions.

Cuphea

For a charming trailer or bedding plant, try adding a cuphea loaded with tubular flowers that hummingbirds adore. Their flowers have these little mouse-like faces that are so cute. Look for varieties in eye-catching, two-tone colors like these Honeybells (10-12”) in pink and gold.

Verbena

Annual verbena features dense clusters of flowers that pollinators love. The plants tolerate temperature extremes, transitioning well from spring cold to summer heat. Don’t be afraid to start them earlier than other flowering annuals since they withstand temperatures into the low teens. A recommended variety is EnduraScape with large flowers for a big hit of color—from dark purple to hot pink. (Height 8-12”)

Pro Tip: Add a slow-release fertilizer when planting summer annuals. The pellets’ special coating is designed to gradually release food during warmer months when the plants are growing the fastest.

Coleus

Beyond flowers, several annuals like coleus are treasured for their showstopping foliage. Coleus add color, texture and luxuriously fill gaps with their boldly patterned and uniquely shaped leaves. No wonder, they’re known as the “Hawaiian shirts of the plant world.” Recommended newer varieties like Flamethrower (12-18”) are more compact and less likely to flower, so their showy foliage lasts longer.

Source: midwestliving.com©