Seeds

Crazybeelady

I saw something online saying to plant seeds now indoors to get ahead for spring.  Is it a good idea to do this? It appeals to me mainly because I love a project and to watch something grow, but am I going to end up with something too big to remain on my windowsill or just a plant generally confused about what time of year it is? Does anyone do this or just be patient and wait for March?

BobTheGardener

There isn't enough daylight over the winter months, so seedlings which emerge from indoor sowings (by this I assume you mean pots on an internal windowsill etc.) will tend to get very leggy (technical term is etiolated) and won't make good healthy plants.

However, some seeds of hardy plants which require a cold period to germinate can be sown outdoors now, in a cold greenhouse or cold frame to give protection from excess rain etc.

Fairygirl

I agree - too late now, so best to wait until early to late spring, although as @BobTheGardener says, some seeds need a cold period. 

It also depends on what you're trying to grow, and what your conditions are, as in many areas, the timing is key for putting them outside, and you can be left with lots of plants which are too big, but the conditions aren't suitable for getting them outdoors. 

Crazybeelady

Ok I wont plant any indoors then! Might check out the hardy plants that require cold for germination in case I want to grow those! 

BobTheGardener

There's a list of seeds requiring a cold period on this site:

https://laidbackgardener.blog/tag/vernalization/

Crazybeelady

Thanks @BobTheGardener