Seriously, let’s face it, winter around the Pacific Northwest this year has been crazy boring. First there was the non stop rain, and now the frozen tundra is making it nearly impossible to go outside and dig. Although, I do think the temps are suppose to warm up to the lower 40’s this week. We’ll see. Starting seeds under my grow lights, makes me happy. Even if I am a wee bit early. 😉
So far I have two trays of Chinese cabbage {pictured above}.
1 tray of basil. As soon as the basil babies grow tall enough {6″-8″} I’ll transplant them to an old tea tin and set them next to my kitchen window {we get tons of light in that spot} and use the fresh basil as needed.
According to the back of the seed packet, red cabbage should be planted 4 to 6 weeks before the average last frost for spring. So YES, I’m super early, but I plan to pot these cuties in a large container and shelter the seedlings from the elements on my front porch. I think they’ll do just fine with a little babysitting.
Artichokes. These are always up for sale when the Farmer’s market opens the first week in April. I’m not a big artichoke fan, but the HH is, and the plants are absolutely beautiful. I’m thinking about setting these beauties out in the front yard later this spring. I started a small cottage flower garden area off to the side of the house last year and I’m thinking the artichokes will fit right in. 
I also have 2 trays of Toy bok choy started under the grow lights. I love adding young bok choy into our stir fry dishes throughout the winter months when I don’t feel like shelling out big bucks for out of season vegetables like peppers and green beans.
The way I see it, we all need a little something to look forward too, even if it’s just a tray of seedlings on cold winters day.
~Mavis
Megan says
Small world. I jsut started my lettuce seeds this weekend, its my first go at a indoor/winter garden. Hope it works out, lol!
Mavis says
Good luck! Keep us posted on your little lettuce’s progress.
Henrietta says
Hi Mavis, I’m wondering where you get your seed trays from? I just purchased your Jan Ebook and I can’t wait to dig into it!
Mavis says
I use the plastic seed trays they sell at Home Depot for $2.99. I also like to use Miracle Grow seed starting mix they sell there for around $3.52 a bag. Hope that helps. 🙂
Em x says
Hahaha, I ordered bare root strawberries last week and just potted them. They are protected from the elements as I’ve hidden them under my glass table outdoors lol.
I’m just super excited to start growing again too.
Mavis says
Glad to know I’m not the only one!
Kerry C says
I also planted this weekend. It’s way too early here in SE Idaho, but I don’t plan on moving these to the garden. Lettuce, basil, and spinach. I need them to keep from going insane in this winter wonderland. Next weekend it will be tomatoes in 5 gallon buckets. I have a solar room/greenhouse and it stays above freezing and during the day can get up to 100 degrees on a sunny day. The plants love the sunshine.
Jess says
Hello. I wanted to start a few seeds indoors and had a quick question. Will a normal fluorescent light work if you don’t have dedicated grow lights? Thanks for any info and happy new year. 🙂
Mavis says
When it comes to lights all you really need to be concerned with are lumens and color temperature. Lights are usually rated in watts, but this isn’t a measure of the light output, but the required input. Lumens are the measure of how much light is actually emitted. The higher the better for your little plants. Color temperature simply means what part of the light spectrum does the light emit. Incandescent lights are no good because the spectrum they emit is all wrong and they are very inefficient.
Some people think that the more blue in the spectrum the better for vegetative growth and the more red the better it is for flowering. But I think if you stick with a bulb that is in the 4500-6000k range you can’t go wrong!
Jess says
Thanks for the info! This is good to know.
Erika says
I’ve already begun growing rosemary sprigs from cuts this past fall! They are just beginning to sprout little “branches”! I’m also beginning to eye some seed packets at the store So happy I’m not the only one!
Ellen in Clackamas says
oh plant envy..I do have it!! My house is so small I am not able to set up grow lights but I have been getting seed catalogs and have started my “wish list”! Good luck to you all
Mavis says
Seed catalogs are my guilty pleasure. I could read them for HOURS!!
Jillian says
If you mulch really well in the fall your artichokes will overwinter here in the PNW. I’ve got the bug too. Major planning happening this weekend.
Mavis says
Planning is half the fun. And bring on the mulch!!
Julie says
Any other choke suggestions?! Mine have NEVER grown past three inches before they die :/ I was in the banana belt on Camano so great climate for it. Now I’m more mountain side with great a south facing yard and a green house…
Alice says
I just bought some okra seeds last night. They are good to eat, but it is also a pretty plant.