When shoud i start my seeds indoors?

Question

I live in Providence RI, want to plant annuals and tomatoes from seed

Answer 1

First check to see when is the best time to start planting in your area,then usually about two to three weeks before that date,I always use a bath towel,heating pad,bath towel 'sandwich',with a proper plastic seed box/w/cover and peat pods to start the seeds in,keep the heating pad on low at all times,a grow light is nice also so the plants don't develop "stretch" caused from not enough light.When your plants have at least three sets of leaves plant them if the weather at night is 50 degrees and above for at least a week first.Fertilize them every two weeks a weak solution at first then as directed,I like liquid fertilizer.Mist the baby plants with a fine mist spray bottle every couple of days as long as the heating pad is on and as needed,after the plants get there second set of leaves you can remove the plastic lid but keep the grow lite on.plants need at least 9 hrs of lite a day,a good north,south,east lite (inside)is good.ENJOY! Luna

Answer 2

In RI, tomatoes planted the 3rd week of March will give you a decent plant for planting outdoors in May 24th. You can delay planting 2 weeks longer if you want a shorter plant.

Other annuals have different dates. For example, geraniums and pansies should have been started in January for a May planting. Impatiens can be planted 3rd week March along with most shorter annuals (like short asters) Taller annuals usually are planted indoors in 2nd week of April or outdoors when the soil has warmed up (usually around the 2nd week of May). The link will give you instructions for how to do this

Answer 3

Depends on what you are planting. The seed packets mostly have instructions for when to start in your area. Tomatoes like bottom heat, as do other warm weather veges like peppers. If you've never started seeds before get a good book and read up on it. Different seeds have different requirements and it's not as easy as one might think.

Answer 4

About 8 weeks before plant out

Answer 5

May could be the good month to grow tomatoes.

Answer 6

feb to march use a propigator for fast results annuals id recomend are alyssum ,candytuft,cornflowers,nigella and godita