Is there any point to starting seeds indoors now?

NowWeAreFour 4/11/2015, 6:54 pm

I'd be putting them (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant) in the garden in about four weeks. Is that even enough time to get them well started, or should I just wait and buy transplants? pale

I was running behind, and then we were traveling, and then when we got back we were all sick... Ugh, I bought all new seeds this winter and everything.

Thanks all.

**sanderson** 4/11/2015, 7:03 pm

Four, Glad you are all recovered or recovering. It's not fun when the whole household is sick. Nothing to lose by trying your new seeds. I planted my seedlings when they were 4-5 weeks old, 2 weeks after last frost date. That was probably a push, but the tomatoes are beautiful and 90% of the peppers are now ready to pinch off. In what State/City/Region are you?

NowWeAreFour 4/11/2015, 7:13 pm

Thanks, I appreciate that. Yeah, it was a shock to come home and find ourselves all down for the count. And I never get sick! I really can't remember the last time I felt unwell enough to stay in bed for a few days.

I'm in 6a--central NJ. I aim to plant out by 5/15 at the latest (LFD is ~4/20), but the last few years either my seedlings have failed or I've just been too late to start indoors. I really promised myself I would be more careful this year! Maybe I'll start the toms and buy the other two. I know the germination time on those will eat up a lot of my next few weeks.

Thanks.

**camprn** 4/11/2015, 7:51 pm

I know how you are feeling. For me the main reason I would start now from seed is if there is a variety that you cannot find as a start and you just have to have it in the garden. I will be starting some tomato seeds in 2 weeks instead of two weeks ago. I have to travel next week and I want gilberties in my garden, so I will sow the seeds when I get home.

quiltbea 4/11/2015, 7:54 pm

Tomatoes and peppers usually need a 6-8 week start and will be wonderful transplanted in your garden. Eggplant can even go in a little later since they like warmer evenings.
You can transplant them out when they are still rather small as long as the outside temps are in the 50s and above. They will grow quickly at those temps.

NowWeAreFour 4/12/2015, 9:20 am

Thank you, I think you're probably right. I'm just so eager to get everything GOING! bounce

CampRN, you make a very good point, and I think this is the approach I'll take. I don't mind picking up seedlings for the Rutgers tomatoes et al., but I have seeds for a few varieties of tomatoes and peppers that I really want and don't usually find out and about, so I think I'll focus on those. I don't think I've ever seen ajies dulces seedlings in any nursery/garden center I've been to, ever!

Thanks for reassuring me. Four days of forced inactivity have made me a little crazy! At least I managed to get potatoes in and the greens sowed yesterday before I collapsed back onto the couch.

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Is there any point to starting seeds indoors now?

Is there any point to starting seeds indoors now?

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