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Starting your fall garden indoors can give your plants a head start, especially in Zone 2, where the growing season is shorter. Choosing the right plants to start indoors ensures a healthy, productive garden come harvest time. Here are some of the best plants to begin indoors for your Zone 2 fall garden.
Vegetables Suitable for Indoor Starting
- Broccoli – A cool-season vegetable that benefits from an early start indoors. Transplant outdoors when seedlings are strong.
- Cauliflower – Similar to broccoli, cauliflower needs a head start indoors to mature before the first frost.
- Kale – Hardy and resilient, kale can be started indoors and transplanted outdoors in early fall.
- Spinach – Fast-growing and cool-loving, spinach seeds can be started indoors for an earlier harvest.
- Swiss Chard – Tolerant of cooler temperatures, Swiss chard is ideal for indoor starting in Zone 2.
Herbs to Start Indoors
- Basil – Although sensitive to cold, starting basil indoors ensures a healthy plant for fall use.
- Cilantro – Prefers cooler weather, making it perfect for indoor starting for fall harvests.
- Parsley – A hardy herb that can be started indoors early and transplanted outdoors.
- Thyme – Low-maintenance and cold-tolerant, thyme can be started indoors to extend its growing season.
Flowers and Ornamental Plants
- Pansies – Easy to start indoors, pansies add color to your fall garden.
- Violas – Similar to pansies, violas thrive when started indoors in preparation for fall planting.
- Marigolds – Bright and hardy, marigolds can be started indoors to ensure vibrant blooms.
- Alyssum – A fragrant ground cover that can be started indoors for fall decoration.
Tips for Successful Indoor Starting
To maximize your success, use quality seed-starting soil, keep seedlings in a warm, well-lit area, and transplant outdoors when the weather permits. Proper watering and gradual acclimatization to outdoor conditions will help your plants thrive in the fall garden.