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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ArtichokeRow 0 - Cell 1 X
ArugulaXX
AsparagusRow 2 - Cell 1 X
Bean (Pole/Bush)XX
Beet*Row 4 - Cell 1 X
Bok ChoyXRow 5 - Cell 2
BroccoliXX
Brussels sproutXX
CabbageXX
CarrotXX
CauliflowerXX
CeleriacXRow 11 - Cell 2
CeleryXRow 12 - Cell 2
Collard greensXRow 13 - Cell 2
CressXRow 14 - Cell 2
CucumberXX
EggplantXRow 16 - Cell 2
EndiveXX
GourdsXX
Kale*Row 19 - Cell 1 X
KohlrabiRow 20 - Cell 1 X
LeekRow 21 - Cell 1 X
LettuceXX
Mache greensXRow 23 - Cell 2
Mesclun greensXX
MelonXX
Mustard greensXRow 26 - Cell 2
OkraXX
OnionXX
ParsnipRow 29 - Cell 1 X
PeasRow 30 - Cell 1 X
PepperXRow 31 - Cell 2
Pepper, chiliXRow 32 - Cell 2
PumpkinXX
RadicchioXX
RadishRow 35 - Cell 1 X
RhubarbRow 36 - Cell 1 X
RutabagaRow 37 - Cell 1 X
ShallotRow 38 - Cell 1 X
SpinachRow 39 - Cell 1 X
Squash (summer/winter)XX
Sweet cornRow 41 - Cell 1 X
Swiss chardRow 42 - Cell 1 X
TomatilloXRow 43 - Cell 2
TomatoXRow 44 - Cell 2
Turnip*Row 45 - Cell 1 X
ZucchiniXX
*Note: These include growing for greens.
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BasilXX
BorageRow 1 - Cell 1 X
ChervilXRow 2 - Cell 2
ChicoryRow 3 - Cell 1 X
ChivesRow 4 - Cell 1 X
ComfreyXRow 5 - Cell 2
Coriander/CilantroXX
DillXX
Garlic chivesXX
Lemon balmXRow 9 - Cell 2
LovageXRow 10 - Cell 2
MarjoramXRow 11 - Cell 2
MintXX
OreganoXRow 13 - Cell 2
ParsleyXX
RosemaryXRow 15 - Cell 2
SageXRow 16 - Cell 2
Savory (Summer & Winter)XX
SorrelRow 18 - Cell 1 X
TarragonXX
ThymeXRow 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.