Mid-March Seed Starting

/ bloomhearty

I live in the lower middle half of MN and mid-March is the time in my zone (Zone 4b) to start these seeds indoor:

  • Head Lettuce
  • Egg Plant
  • Celery
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Broccoli

Today is the day for me to get these started. Today I am also starting some Asparagus seeds.

Starting Asparagus from Seeds

  1. Soak seeds in tepid water for 24 hours to improve germination time
  2. Plant 3 seeds in each peat pot 1/2 inch deep and 1/2 each apart
  3. Repot to bigger pots if needed when the seedling is 1 inch high
  4. The seedling should be ready for transplanting in 8-10 weeks
  5. Plant outdoors in 18 inches apart.

Starting Broccoli from Seeds

  1. Plant 3 seeds in each peat pot 1/4-inch deep 1/4 inch apart.
  2. The seedling should be ready for planting outdoors in 4-6 weeks.
  3. Transplant outdoors 3-4 weeks before last frost (around May 1st in my zone).
  4. Plant outdoors 6 -18 inches apart with 18 inches between rows.
  5. Protect transplants from hard frost if necessary, with plastic or paper cones.

Starting Cabbage from Seeds

  1. Plant 3 seeds in each peat pot 1/4-inch deep 1/4 inch apart
  2. The seedling should be ready to plant outdoors in 4-6 weeks
  3. Harden transplants for outdoor planting 1 week prior by setting out in pots cover with plastic or in cold frame.
  4. Transplant outdoors 2-3 weeks before last frost (around May 1st in my zone) 10 -12 inches apart
  5. Protect transplants from hard frost if necessary, with plastic or paper cones.

Starting Cauliflower from Seeds

  1. Plant 3 seeds in each peat pot 1/4-inch deep 1/4 inch apart.
  2. The seedling should be ready for planting outdoors in 4-6 weeks.
  3. Transplant outdoors 3-4 weeks before last frost (around May 1st in my zone).
  4. Plant outdoors 6 -18 inches apart with 18 inches between rows.
  5. Protect transplants from hard frost if necessary, with plastic or paper cones.

Starting Celery from Seeds

  1. Soak seeds in tepid water for 24 hours to improve germination time
  2. Plant 3-5 seeds in each peat pot 1/2 inch deep spread in middle of pot
  3. When plants are 2-3 inches tall thin to 1 plant
  4. The seedling should be ready for planting outdoors in 10-12 weeks.
  5. Transplant outdoors 8-10 inches apart 1 week after last frost date (around May 27th in my zone)

Starting Egg Plant from Seeds

  1. Plant 3 seeds in each peat pot 1/4-inch deep 1/4 inch apart.
  2. The seedling should be ready for planting outdoors in 10-12 weeks
  3. When plants are 2-3 inches tall thin to 1 plant or repot individual plants
  4. Transplant outdoors 8-10 inches apart 1 week after last frost date (around May 27th in my zone)

Starting Head Lettuce from Seeds

  1. Plant 3 seeds in each peat pot 1/4 inch deep and 1/2 each apart
  2. The seedling should be ready for planting outdoors in 6-8 weeks  
  3. When plants are 2-3 inches tall thin to 1 plant or repot individual plants
  4. Transplant 10-12 inches apart outdoors 3-4 weeks before last frost (around May 1st in my zone). Plant seeds outdoors thereafter every 3 weeks for continuous harvest

Home grown Iceberg lettuce has something like 30 times more vitamin A than store bought.