The Great Seed-Starting Dilemma

Let’s be real: you’re scrolling through a seed catalog on a Tuesday night, and suddenly you’ve ordered fifteen varieties of heirloom tomatoes and enough peppers to start your own hot sauce empire. But now that the packets have arrived, the itch to get them in the dirt is real. Is it too early to start those babies indoors, or are you just being an overachiever that’ll get in way over your head? Let’s talk timing and equipment so you can bring confidence into the garden this year.

The Big Question: To Plant or Not to Plant?

“I’ve bought way too many seeds and I’m wondering if it’s too early to start my tomatoes and peppers inside the house? – Sarah from Seattle”

Sarah, we feel you. Buying the seeds is the “retail therapy” of the gardening world, but planting them too early is a recipe for leggy, stressed-out plants. The short answer? It depends on your “First Frost” date, but generally, for the West Coast (like Seattle) to the East Coast (looking at you, Atlantic provinces), the rules of thumb remain pretty consistent.

The West Coast (Zone 7-9): In places like Seattle or Vancouver, your spring is often damp and cool. While you could start now, if you plant tomatoes in February, they’ll be massive and root-bound by the time the soil is actually warm enough (usually late May) for them to thrive. If you’re confident about giving them proper care and have the room, start them now. If not, hold your horses for a couple weeks.

The Prairies & Interior (Zone 3-5): Do not be fooled by a random sunny day in February! You’re looking at a late May transplant date. If you start now, you’ll be sharing your dinner table with five-foot-tall tomato jungle-vines by April. If you’re confident about giving them proper care and have the room, start them now. If not, aim for mid to late March.

The East Coast (Zone 5-7): Much like the West, the humidity and coastal shifts can be tricky. You want to count back 6–8 weeks from your last frost. For most of the Atlantic coast, mid-March is your sweet spot for peppers (which grow slower) and late March for tomatoes.

Gear Up: The “Must-Haves” for Seedling Success

You can’t just stick a seed in a cup of dirt on a windowsill and hope for the best (well, you can, but don’t blame us when they look sad). To grow “store-bought quality” starts, you need the right kit.

Starting seeds is a marathon, not a sprint. If you start too early, you’re just creating more work for yourself. Wait for that 6-8 week window, get your lighting dialed in, and you’ll have the best garden on the block.