need some advice on whether to start indoors or direct plant? I'm planning to start my leeks onions toms peppers indoors before transplanting outside. Was wondering if it is worth start any of the following indoors or just seed outside. celery sprouts Thanks
In Montreal you have a pretty short season. I would think you want to start everything you list (except sprouts) indoors.
I agree. Everything except for the sprouts (unless you mean Brussels sprouts) should be started indoors.
i agree! celery takes a bit of awhile to germinate, sort of like parsley, so i would definitely start inside.
Montreal must be a short season for vegetables. I agree with the advice that it's advisable to do as much as possible indoors. However, some plants do not like being transplanted when they are too far along. That's my experience with cucumbers and onions anyway. I've never had luck with transplanted onions. Peppers hate cold weather just from my own little experience. I wait until the weather is consistently warm to plant them. Good luck to you mate!
I'm not knowledgeable about the weather or growing season in Montreal. I'm responding to the question because I've learned something important over the last couple of years. If you are going to start seeds indoors, invest in one of two of those heat mats. The two heat mats I bought this year turned my so,so seed starting process into a winning operation. I'm a bit of a penny pincher, so it took me a while to see that I wasn't really saving anything by not implementing heat mats. I feel pretty dang smug now when I walk into the garden centers and can pass up the six packs of starter veggies and herbs. Although, I did have to buy some basil because I put my starts out early, covered the tomatoes and peppers when frost was predicted but somehow forgot to cover up the basil plants. OOps.
thanks for all the great advice. pricklypear i looked at the heat mats but similar to you my wallet decided not to get them. Are they good just for getting the seeds to sprout (I have no issues with this) Or do they help the growth of the seedlings as well? Thanks
I don't have central heating in my mobile home. I don't really need it for people in this climate. But, apparently I do for plants. I set the mats on a table and tent them with an old sheet at night. The mats keeps the surrounding air temperature (within the tent) above 60 degrees all night. So, yes the mats help keep the plants in a warm environment. I haven't tried them for fall plantings yet. So far I've had good luck with direct sowing my fall garden.
we don't use heat mats either, and it sometimes takes the seeds a little longer to germinate. i have heard tricks like putting the trays on top of the fridge or the computer or the TV...they aall generate quite a bit of heat on top!
If you want to save a bit of money,,see if you can find a water bed heat mat !! Works the same and sometimes can be found at thrift stores !! I would bet that an old electric blanket would do the same and keep the seedlings warm !! Just place them on top and tent them !! And it has adjustable heat !! Only down side would be in watering them !! But if you had trays under the plants,,no problem !!
