When to start seeds indoors in Oregon (2024)

FAQs

When should I start seeds indoors Oregon? ›

In the Pacific Northwest, the best time to start the slower-growing, warm-season crops like tomatoes, eggplants and peppers indoors is mid-February to mid-March. But choose quick-growing, small-fruited types and you can start them through late March.

When to start seeds indoors. start indoors. General rule of thumb for most varieties is to start seeds six weeks before the last frost.

Seeds require a certain temperature to germinate. Each plant has a specific optimum and a range within which germination will occur. The closer the temperature is to the optimum, the quicker germination will occur. Most seeds germinate when the soil temperature is between 68° and 86°F.

Most seeds need a minimum of 14-16 hours of light per day to germinate and grow. Shop lights are a great option because they can be left on for long periods of time without generating too much heat but just enough for the plant needs.

If you start too early, you might end up with leggy, overgrown plants that need babying until the frost disappears and the soil warms. Start too late, and you'll be drooling over your neighbor's BLTs while forlornly waiting for your plants' blooms to turn into fruit.

Finally warm temperatures are here to stay and you don't have to worry about that frost! You may think it's too late to grow all your favorite vegetables from seeds, but warm May temperatures have made the soil perfect for sowing seeds. Warm soil will allow for fast germination and growing plants!

Most seeds can germinate in darkness or light (one exception is lettuce, which needs light) but once the seeds have sprouted, keep the lights on about 12-16 hours per day. Adjust the lights or the trays as your seedlings grow to keep the lights 2”-3” above them.

Sow seeds early in the morning so the water has enough time to permeate the soil and get warm throughout the day. You can do it in the evening but make sure the seed flats stay warm overnight. Keep sown seeds away from direct sunlight and keep at a temperature of 75F-90F degrees—double check for specific seeds.

Most seeds will not germinate without sunlight and will perform best with 12 to 16 hours each day. Indoors, place seed containers in a sunny, south-facing window and give the container a quarter turn each day to prevent the seedlings from overreaching toward the light and developing weak, elongated stems.

How deep to start seeds indoors? ›

The rule of thumb is to plant seeds at a depth equal to two or three times their width. It is better to plant seeds too shallow than too deep. Some seeds, such as certain Lettuces or Snapdragon, need light to germinate and should not be covered at all.

If you're wondering how cold is too cold for grass seed germination use our rule of thumb and check the weather reports. If the daytime temperature is below 60^°F then soil temperature is below 50^°F, making it too cold; if there is frost or still a danger of frost, then it's too cold.

Even if the last thing you're thinking about in January or February is the garden, it's actually a great time to start seeds indoors for frost-hardy leafy greens and for slow-to-get-started herbs.

A package of seeds will usually announce if the plant should be started indoors, with instructions that include phrases such as "start indoors eight weeks before last expected frost date in your area." A simple internet search will tell you the date of the expected last frost in your area.

Moisture Matters – After planting, water seeds with a gentle mist or shower. Avoid using a strong splash or spray, which can dislodge seeds. It is vital to keep soil consistently moist. In a sunny spot, this may mean watering twice a day.

It's a great time to start a vegetable garden. Among the vegetables you can plant, consider: Oregon Coast: Beets, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chard, slicing cucumbers, endive, leeks, lettuce, onion sets, peas and potatoes.

It is best to directly sow bean seeds when the danger of frost has passed and the soil temperature is about 60°F. Beans will not grow or they may remain stunted in cold soil. You can always cover planting area with black plastic to speed soil warming. In Portland the planting window is mid May to mid August.

Generally, by mid June temperatures are warm enough for unprotected planting. Plant tomatoes through July, and short season varieties into August. and/or compost into the soil. Mix ¼ cup of balanced fertilizer into each hole when planting.