10 Seeds to Start Indoors Now for a Stunning Garden by Spring

Cauliflower

When it comes to starting seeds for spring planting, cauliflower was top-of-mind for Joe Moussa, the owner of Mosaic Home & Garden Center. This versatile vegetable is one of several hardy crops the gardening expert starts in the first few months of the year.

If you’re a big fan of this crop, then you can even double down and start seeds for the spring and then again for the fall later in the summer.

• Zone: 2 to 11
• Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
• Care requirements: Full sun; moist, well-drained soil
  

Dianthus

Dianthus is available in an array of colors, from bright pinks to more subdued maroons. Gary O’Malia, owner of Larry O’Malia’s Farm & Greenhouse, says these are a springtime favorite. They're frost tolerant, and can easily be planted indoors in January and February, then brought outside in early spring.

• Zone: Varies by type, though often 5 to 9
• Size: Varies by type
• Care requirements: Full sun, well-drained soil

Spinach

If you live somewhere where the last frost date is around mid or late April, then consider starting spinach seeds. The leafy green is a salad staple, and makes for a vitamin-packed addition to soups, spreads, and sandwiches. 

Starting spinach indoors in the winter months can help you establish the plant for spring—you can then maintain the crop into the fall, when it really thrives.

• Zone: 2 to 9
• Size: 6 to 12 inches tall by 6 to 12 inches wide
• Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil
  

Chard

Chard has multiple varieties, which are easy to identify by their brightly-hued stalks, which can range from purple to orange. Like many of the cold crops on this list, you can harvest them from spring into late fall or winter—depending on where you live.

Swiss chard isn’t as hardy as collard greens or spinach, but it can still handle a light frost, making it a good early-season crop. In fact, gardeners are encouraged to get them in the ground two to three weeks before the last spring frost. 

• Zone: 2 to 11
• Size: Varies by type but can reach as tall as 24+ inches
• Care requirements: Direct sunlight; nutrient-dense, well-drained soil

Onion

According to Moussa, bulbs like onions and chives are great to focus on in the early growing season. You can go with classic yellow or white onions, but you can also get a little adventurous and choose one of the other varietals that grow in the U.S. If you’re not sure where to start, talk to your local gardening expert, who can point you towards onions best suited for your area.

• Zone: 5 to 10
• Size: 1 to 2 feet tall x 6 inches to 1 foot wide
• Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil

Broccoli

Moussa recommends broccoli as a potential seed starter for January, noting that it's relatively easy to grow and can be moved outside by mid-April. Broccoli is also a great option for new gardeners, and its versatility and longevity make it a staple from spring to late fall. It can be eaten raw, cooked up in a delicious dish, or frozen for later use. 

• Zone: 2 to 11 
• Size: 1 to 2 feet tall by 1 to 2 feet wide
• Care requirements: Full sun; moist, well-drained soil

Pansy

Pansies are a delightful option if you want to fill your garden or flower boxes with brilliant spring colors. While they may be delicate in appearance, pansies are hearty in spirit.

O’Malia notes that pansies, like dianthus, are frost-tolerant. He likes to bring them outside during the day when it's at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but if you do, make sure to bring them in at night until the flowers get acclimated to cooler temperatures.

• Zone: 2 to 11 inches
• Size: 6 to 10 inches x 10 to 12 inches
• Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade
  

Viola

These popular plants are available in their signature blue-purple hue as well as red, pink, white, and yellow. Violas are also edible, making them the perfect choice for dressing up a salad or decorating a cake—but don't confuse them with African violets, which aren't safe to eat.

O’Malia named violas as one of the three flowers he immediately thinks of when starting seeds in January or February. They're frost-tolerant, he says, and can move outside faster than other plants.

• Zone: 3 to 9
• Size: 2 to 12 inches tall; width varies by type and habitat
• Care requirements: Full sun or partial shade; moist, well-drained soil

Cabbage

Both Moussa and O’Malia recommend cabbage as a strong option for winter seeding. In fact, cabbage is one of several vegetables that prefer to grow in cooler temperatures.

Cabbage generally thrives in temps between 55 and 75 degrees, making it a perfect starter plant for the spring growing season. Adding it to your garden early also prevents exposure to high temperatures, which can negatively affect the plant's growth rate. 

• Zone: 2 to 11
• Size: 1 to 2 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wide
• Care requirements: Full sun; moist, well-drained soil

Kale

Kale was one of the first produce plants mentioned by both Moussa and O’Malia. This hearty crop is filled with health benefits, like vitamin C and antioxidants. In addition to it’s nutrient-dense nature, kale is also generally easy to grow, and can tolerate cooler temps and shade when the weather is warmer.

• Zone: 2 to 11
• Size: 1 to 2 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
• Care requirements: Full sun; moist, well-drained