What to Start Indoors Now and What to Wait For
Spring fever is real. Even in Zone 5b, the moment the snow thaws a little, we’re itching to shove every seed into a pot and bring a slice of green glory into our living rooms. But here’s the thing: patience pays and not just for your sanity, but for healthier plants, happier harvests, and yes, a fatter wallet.
Late January is a time for seed catalogues and sprouts. Get a wide-mouth mason jar (you might need to open and down a jar of those summer pickles you made!), pour in some mung beans, broccoli seeds, lentil, radish, alfalfa, for example, wash, rinse, and wait! We use Sun and Sprouts brand sprouting kits because we support small Canadian business! https://sunandsprouts.com/
Not everything wants the indoor limelight. Some crops benefit from waiting for the soil to warm, and your wallet will thank you if you don’t start these too early:
Corn and Beans: Direct sow after the last frost in your garden. They hate being moved and will sulk if transplanted.
Tomatoes, Peppers, and Eggplants: These heat-loving divas germinate best when it’s warmer indoors (around mid-February to March) and thrive when it’s warm outside. Sow them too early, and you’ll be fighting leggy seedlings and cramped pots.
Cucumbers, Squash, and Melons: These fast growers and prolific producers do best when the risk of frost has passed. Starting them too early can lead to endless transplant stress.
In short, leave the seed starting for next month or even to March (exceptions apply… think artichoke and celeriac!). Sprouts and microgreens (arugula, lettuce, spinach) in a small bed of soil are a must to get you through this long, cold and snowy winter 2026!.
For a how-to sprouting video by board member, Adrian, click here: https://youtu.be/f1YxjkCN3Zg?si=H4Z-k0oFY8q86bmJ