Starting seeds indoors in Kansas City

Starting seeds indoors gives you a head start on the growing season, a bigger choice of varieties than you'll find in pots at the garden center, and something green to look forward to in February. Here's how to do it in Kansas City.

Know your frost date

Everything about seed starting works backward from your last spring frost. In the Kansas City area, that usually falls around mid-April, though a late cold snap can still happen. Seed packets will tell you how many weeks before the last frost to start each plant.

When to start what

• Onions and leeks: 10 to 12 weeks before last frost, so late January to early February
• Peppers and eggplant: 8 to 10 weeks before, so mid to late February
• Tomatoes: 6 to 8 weeks before, so late February to early March
• Broccoli, cabbage and kale: 6 to 8 weeks before planting out, so they're ready to go outside in late March or early April
• Squash, cucumbers and melons: 3 to 4 weeks before, or sow them straight into the garden in May once the soil warms

What you'll need

• Seed starting mix. It's lighter than potting soil, so tiny roots can push through it easily.
• Containers. Jiffy pots and strips, seed trays or small pots with drainage holes all work.
• A humidity dome. It keeps moisture in while seeds sprout. Take it off once they're up.
• A heat mat. Peppers and tomatoes sprout faster in warm soil.
• Light. A sunny window often isn't enough in late winter. A simple shop light or grow light hung a few inches above the seedlings keeps them from getting tall and floppy.

Step by step

1. Moisten your seed starting mix before you fill your containers.
2. Plant seeds at the depth on the packet. A good rule is about two to three times as deep as the seed is wide.
3. Cover with a humidity dome and keep the mix warm and moist, not soggy.
4. Once seedlings sprout, remove the dome and give them 14 to 16 hours of light a day.
5. When they have their first set of true leaves, thin to one strong seedling per cell.

Moving plants outside

About a week or two before planting out, start "hardening off" your seedlings. Set them outside in a protected spot for an hour or two, then a little longer each day, so they get used to sun, wind and cooler nights. Plant warm-season crops like tomatoes and peppers after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.

We carry bulk vegetable and herb seed, seed starting mix, Jiffy pots, humidity domes and heat mats. See it all on our Lawn & Garden page, or stop by and we'll help you plan your garden.