Information On Which Vegetable Seeds To Sow Indoors Or Outdoors

Trays Of Individually Potted Sprouded Seedlings
starting seeds
(Image credit: mscornelius)

Vegetables can be planted indoors or outdoors. Normally, when you plant seeds indoors, you'll need to harden the seedlings off and transplant them into your garden later. So which vegetables are best started inside, and which are best to direct sow in the garden? Read on for information on where to sow vegetable seeds.

Starting Seeds Indoors vs. Direct Sowing Outside

Depending on the particular crop planted, gardeners can go about sowing seeds directly in the ground or starting them inside. Typically, plants that transplant well are the best candidates for vegetable seed starting indoors. These normally include the more tender varieties and heat-loving plants too. Sowing seeds indoors allows you to get a jump on the growing season. If you start your vegetable seed planting at the right time for your area, you'll have strong, vigorous seedlings ready to go into the ground once the regular growing season begins. In areas with short growing seasons, this method is ideal. Most of your root crops and cold hardy plants respond well to vegetable seed planting directly outdoors. No matter how careful one is when transplanting a young plant, there is bound to be some minor root damage. Many plants that do well directly sown do not respond well to being transplanted because of the potential root damage.

Where to Sow Vegetable Seeds and Herbs

To help get you started with where to sow vegetable seeds and common herb plants, the following list should help:

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PLANT

INDOORS

SOW DIRECT

Artichoke

Row 1 - Cell 1

X

Arugula

X

X

Asparagus

Row 3 - Cell 1

X

Bean (Pole/Bush)

X

X

Beet*

Row 5 - Cell 1

X

Bok Choy

X

Row 6 - Cell 2

Broccoli

X

X

Brussels sprout

X

X

Cabbage

X

X

Carrot

X

X

Cauliflower

X

X

Celeriac

X

Row 12 - Cell 2

Celery

X

Row 13 - Cell 2

Collard greens

X

Row 14 - Cell 2

Cress

X

Row 15 - Cell 2

Cucumber

X

X

Eggplant

X

Row 17 - Cell 2

Endive

X

X

Gourds

X

X

Kale*

Row 20 - Cell 1

X

Kohlrabi

Row 21 - Cell 1

X

Leek

Row 22 - Cell 1

X

Lettuce

X

X

Mache greens

X

Row 24 - Cell 2

Mesclun greens

X

X

Melon

X

X

Mustard greens

X

Row 27 - Cell 2

Okra

X

X

Onion

X

X

Parsnip

Row 30 - Cell 1

X

Peas

Row 31 - Cell 1

X

Pepper

X

Row 32 - Cell 2

Pepper, chili

X

Row 33 - Cell 2

Pumpkin

X

X

Radicchio

X

X

Radish

Row 36 - Cell 1

X

Rhubarb

Row 37 - Cell 1

X

Rutabaga

Row 38 - Cell 1

X

Shallot

Row 39 - Cell 1

X

Spinach

Row 40 - Cell 1

X

Squash (summer/winter)

X

X

Sweet corn

Row 42 - Cell 1

X

Swiss chard

Row 43 - Cell 1

X

Tomatillo

X

Row 44 - Cell 2

Tomato

X

Row 45 - Cell 2

Turnip*

Row 46 - Cell 1

X

Zucchini

X

X

*Note: These include growing for greens.

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Basil

X

X

Borage

Row 1 - Cell 1

X

Chervil

X

Row 2 - Cell 2

Chicory

Row 3 - Cell 1

X

Chives

Row 4 - Cell 1

X

Comfrey

X

Row 5 - Cell 2

Coriander/Cilantro

X

X

Dill

X

X

Garlic chives

X

X

Lemon balm

X

Row 9 - Cell 2

Lovage

X

Row 10 - Cell 2

Marjoram

X

Row 11 - Cell 2

Mint

X

X

Oregano

X

Row 13 - Cell 2

Parsley

X

X

Rosemary

X

Row 15 - Cell 2

Sage

X

Row 16 - Cell 2

Savory (Summer & Winter)

X

X

Sorrel

Row 18 - Cell 1

X

Tarragon

X

X

Thyme

X

Row 20 - Cell 2
Nikki Tilley
Senior Editor

Nikki Tilley has been gardening for nearly three decades. The former Senior Editor and Archivist of Gardening Know How, Nikki has also authored six gardening books.