March Garden Update (Seed Starting has begun!)
Spring is almost here! My 2022 garden has finally begun inside and everything is off to a strong start! I’ve been looking through photos of the garden last year, and I’m amazed by how quickly the small seedlings I started in my basement turned into a massive garden jungle. Even though it’s brown and bare outside right now, there is a promise of beauty right around the corner and that keeps me pushing forward. Today it’s over 50 degrees and I’m instantly reminded I am so ready for winter to be over and gardening to begin.
So here’s an update on what's been started inside so far for the spring and summer garden.
Herbs were the first seeds I planted. I find that in my everyday cooking I go through fresh herbs the most. I feel so wasteful buying those little plastic containers from the grocery store and most of the time they don’t last for more than one meal. My goal this year is to stop buying herbs from the store and to have a more consistent supply growing in my kitchen.
February 9th was my first seed starting day. I live in Minnesota so I usually have to start seeds relatively early to make the most of my shorter growing season. My estimated last frost date is April 30th, but to be on the safe side I always wait about 2 weeks after that to set seedlings out. Daytime temps in spring are not as much of an issue as nighttime temps are. We are still going below 30 degrees too often for frost-tender plants. Spring weather here is wild, one day 60 degrees, the next week there's a snowstorm.
* You can find the last frost date for your area using the Old Farmers Almanac.
If you are new to gardening and need some help understanding frost dates and growing zones my The Gardener’s Glossary post will explain some basics. This can be overwhelming at first but remember it does get easier. I’m still learning and adjusting my process as I go even after a few years of starting seeds.
Observations and Adjustments
I knew I wanted to get herbs going right away so that’s the first tray I made. Everything seems to be going strong except chives. For some reason, chives don't grow well for me. Maybe my seeds were old, or it was too cold in the basement, but I will definitely have to plant more.
I’ve also noticed some herbs are looking a bit leggy or stretched out. This means they are reaching too far for light, creating a weak stem. To fix this I stacked books under the trays to provide light closer to the top of the seedlings, so they grow sturdy stems. It’s always a balance to find what works best.
These herbs won't be ready to go outside for some time until temps are reliably above freezing. To start using these herbs sooner, I like to make a small kitchen herb garden using clay pots in my south-facing window.
One of my favorite gardeners I follow on IG Bailey Van Tassel just created a herb pot tray set line. Really beautiful for in windows and a great way to add greenery to your kitchen. If you love pottery definitely try out the BVT x Sift Ceramics Line.
Kitchen herb garden inspiration…..
How I organize the trays
I usually section my trays by similar variety. Tomatoes and peppers go in one tray. Then early cold season veggies go together like broccolini and napa cabbage. All sunflower varieties go together and other flowers. Last onions get a tray, planted in groups, and separated later on. Those will go out in the garden together in mid to late spring. Creating a system was a bit of a challenge at first. Although I’m mostly organized, it was hard wrapping my brain around all the factors that go into starting a seed early. In my first year planting seedlings, I started way too many seeds for the size garden I had. A little ambitious, now I’ve definitely learned to plant less of each variety and have a better gauge of what’s actually necessary. Caring for fewer plants saves space and makes it easier to keep them all alive.
I started on time!
I started everything on time this year, as planned. I wrote out starting dates for each plant on google calendar so I didn't lose track of time and it worked out great. I’ve planned to be slightly less ambitious with the amount of each variety I grow so I can really focus on fewer stronger seedlings. Timing in northern states is everything when gardening. Where I live most seedlings need to be started inside between Feburary and March, especially for a spring and summer garden. I feel like a lot of people tend to focus on a summer garden more than early spring or fall even, but for those who live in colder climates utilizing that cooler weather is a game-changer.
Herbs I’m growing this year
Dill: can be hard to get germinated. I will probably get some more plants from the garden center to supplement what I grow. I always overseed dill when planting in trays.
Cilantro: One of my most used herbs in the garden, easy to get started.
Parsley: Prefers cooler weather and bolts when it gets too hot. Another herb I use often needs to be planted in spring.
Basil: Prefers warmer weather 50-80 degrees and does really well with some light pruning.
Sage: Don't use that often but is great for adding to soups, stock, and broths.
Chives: Not doing very well right now. My basement where I have my seed station can get very cold.
Lettuce Leaf Basil: Something new I’m trying this year from Baker Creek. Lettuce-sized Basil sounded really interesting, already thinking of yummy meals make with it.
Herbs I buy from the garden store/greenhouse
Oregano
Thyme
More Dill
Tarragon
Other things I started February 9th
Tomato Varieties:
Heirloom Brandy Wine Tomatoes (Renee’s Garden Seeds) - favorite among gardeners and has been on my grow list for a while now. This is a larger slicer variety.
Black Strawberry Tomatoes (Baker Creek) - small cherry tomato with marbled blue and gold fruit.
Sweet Heart Cherry Tomatoes (Baker Creek) - sweet cherry tomato variety with strawberry/heart-shaped fruit.
Peppers:
Marconi Red Sweet Pepper Variety has not had the strongest germination but I don't need that many mature plants so not a big deal.
Early Spring Tray
Chinese Cabbage: never tried this variety before but love it in salads instead of lettuce. It's leafier and has a nice crunch. A great spring and fall veggie that does well in MN wild spring temps.
Broccolini: Looks like baby broccoli, more tender and great for sauteing or grilling. Loves cool temps. Pairing cooler weather veggies together is a good idea.
Started a few flowers
Wild Bergamot Bee Balm - A popular perennial that is great for attracting pollinators and is frost-hardy.
Cerise Queen Yarrow - These looked so beautiful on the Baker Creek Catalog had to try it out. Has tiny tiny seeds, so I planted them heavily.
Last a tray of Red Italy flat Onions
Tried this onion variety last year, but it needs better placement in the garden. My onion bulbs were small and for the most part not usable. This was largely due to the massive tomato plants that blocked all their light. Onions will get a second chance this year, and I hope for a better result with some adjustments. First, I’m going to place them in a more south-facing spot that is less crowded, and second I need to regularly fertilize. Onions are a crop that takes up a lot of nutrients from the soil, so this year fertilizing more consistently will be essential. Last year I let that slip resulting in a low yield.
Seeds that still need to be started inside
Spicy peppers
Nasturtiums
Kale
Scallions
Leeks
Spaghetti squash
Zinnias
Calendula
Sunflowers
Zucchini
2022 Garden Plans
As far as garden planning goes, I’m still finalizing the raised bed plans and where everything is going to go. This has been taking me longer than usual because I have so many new ideas I want to try.
I’m also adding more vertical growing space to the garden this year. I’ve bought three Green Stalk Planters that I’m super excited to try. They come highly recommended by many gardeners as a great way to expand your garden. I plan on using them on the deck to utilize an otherwise wasted space. I’m thinking of planting them with more lettuce green mixes, herbs, strawberries and maybe trying out peppers if there’s room.
Happy Spring!