Starting from Seed

With the snow still clinging to the ground and temperatures dipping below zero, it may feel like winter has settled in for good. The wind howls, the garden beds are buried and the thought of digging in the dirt seems impossibly far away. But take heart — spring is closer than it seems. In fact, now is exactly the time to start dreaming, planning and planting the seeds (literally) for a vibrant and productive garden season ahead. For gardeners in the Monadnock Region, early March through early April is prime time to begin starting seeds indoors. Getting a head start gives your plants the extra weeks they need to grow strong and healthy before they're transplanted outdoors in late May or early June. That early effort pays off all summer long with earlier harvests and heartier blooms. According to the National Garden Association, early March is ideal for starting cool season crops like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and many herbs. These sturdy vegetables thrive in the cooler temperatures of late spring and benefit from that indoor head start. There's something deeply satisfying about seeing those first tiny green shoots emerge while snow still blankets the yard outside. By mid-March, it's time to think about peppers and eggplant, which need a longer growing season to produce well. This is also a good window for starting hardy, fast-growing flowers such as sunflowers and black-eyed Susans — cheerful blooms that will brighten garden beds and attract pollinators once summer arrives. Late March through early April is tomato time, and few gardening moments are as hopeful as planting tomato seeds, imagining juicy slices on summer sandwiches. Marigolds and zinnias can also be started during this period, adding vibrant color and natural pest control to your garden beds. Some crops prefer to go straight into the soil outdoors. As soon as the ground thaws, onions, potatoes and peas can be planted directly outside. Warm-season favorites like beans, corn, squash, pumpkins and cucumbers should wait until mid-May, when the soil temperature reaches about 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Patience is key — planting too early in cold soil can stunt growth or cause seeds to rot. When starting seeds indoors, using a sterile seed-starting mix rather than garden soil is important. Seed-starting mixes are lighter and help prevent pests and soil-borne diseases that can harm delicate seedlings. The plants will need at least 12 hours of light each day. A bright, south-facing window may work but grow lights are often more reliable during our still-short spring days. As transplant time approaches, seedlings need to be "hardened off." This simply means gradually introducing them to outdoor conditions over the course of one to two weeks. Setting them on a protected porch or in an unheated sunroom for a few hours each day helps them adjust to sunlight, wind and fluctuating temperatures. This extra step can make the difference between thriving plants and stressed ones. If you're a member of the Keene Public Library, there's another reason to get excited about gardening season. The library offers a seed and tool lending library, providing community members access to a variety of seeds, grow lights and trays. Much like borrowing a book, gardeners can "check out" seeds at planting time. At the end of the season, they're encouraged to save seeds from their healthiest plants and return a portion to the library. Vegetable and flower seeds are available on a first-come, first-served basis from racks in the Putnam Atrium, with a limit of five seed packets per person. The collection includes seeds from regional seed companies as well as generous donations from local gardeners. Seed libraries do more than support backyard gardens. They encourage biodiversity, strengthen local food systems and reduce reliance on large seed corporations. By sharing and saving seeds, community members help preserve unique plant varieties and combat monocultures that threaten global food security.