Never Start These 7 Seeds Indoors

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Not every type of seed should be started indoors. In fact, some seeds do better when they’re sown directly in the garden from late winter to early spring!

The key is sowing the right cool-season seeds at the right time—so skip the seed trays, here’s what I plant in the ground every year.

Peas

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Beets

[{"selector":"#anim-cf327fc6-8d73-41ee-82d3-48f805ce52a8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-997948d3-2028-4d76-9907-c22f25efab55","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -95.93577%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Beet seeds are actually multigerm seed balls, so you’ll get several seedlings sprouting from a single seed. As they grow, you can harvest microgreens or baby beet greens while you thin the seedlings—a bonus! Learn more

Carrots

[{"selector":"#anim-08d9d4f3-46d8-475b-a291-a92a4f1c60ec","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-db8b5798-86b4-4224-a130-df32728a1c84","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -95.93577%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Carrots really do not like their roots disturbed. Even if you started them indoors and grew them to a good transplant size, it’s quite labor-intensive to plant them out in the garden while making sure their tiny taproots remain as straight as possible. Learn more

Spinach

[{"selector":"#anim-52be6e88-b69e-4b88-8cb5-64e31d42cc2e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0d20687c-bd16-42a9-8dab-723822889a86","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -95.93577%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Luckily, spinach is quick to grow and doesn’t mind cooler soil temperatures, making it ideal for direct sowing. About six weeks before your last frost date (once the soil is above 35°F), you can sow your first round of spinach seeds. Learn more

Mixed Salad Greens

[{"selector":"#anim-68183e3b-d3c1-4773-9543-503842601873","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4cca2983-67d6-4c2b-9353-aac7bb39852b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -89.5929%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] You know those seed packet blends (sometimes called mesclun) that offer a mix of leafy greens, like lettuce, arugula, and mustards? They’re perfect for direct sowing! Learn more

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