WORTHINGTON — This winter has been a mild one by southern Minnesota standards. Even though colder days may still come, the longer daylight and warmer sunshine are enough to get many of us thinking about spring.
Brittanny Wiener-Mastbergen
Contributed / Brittanny Wiener-Mastbergen
It’s the time of year when gardeners start flipping through seed catalogs at the kitchen table, circling favorites and imagining what this year’s garden might look like.
If you haven’t ordered seeds yet, now is a great time. Popular vegetables and flowers can sell out quickly and having seeds ready means you can start them at the right time.
In USDA Zones 4 and 5, which includes much of southern Minnesota, our average last frost is usually between May 8 and May 20. Seed packets will tell you how many weeks before that date you should start seeds indoors, which makes planning much easier. Long season crops should be started soon.
Starting seeds indoors doesn’t have to be complicated. Reuse clean containers with drainage holes, fill them with a seed-starting mix and keep the soil lightly moist. A sunny south-facing window works but grow lights can help produce stronger, sturdier plants.
Once seeds are planted, check them daily — those first tiny green sprouts are always exciting to see.
If you need seeds, be sure to visit the free seed bank at the Nobles County Historical Society. It’s open to the public and is a wonderful resource for trying new varieties, sharing seeds and connecting with other gardeners in our community.
Starting seeds indoors is one of the first real signs that spring is on its way. Even while winter lingers, those small trays of seedlings bring a sense of anticipation for warmer days ahead.
Whether you’re growing vegetables for your table, flowers for pollinators, or simply something that makes you happy, the gardening season has already begun.
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