8 Edible Plants to Start Indoors During the Colder Months

Brussels sprouts require a long growing season, which makes them a great choice for starting indoors and transplanting outside in early spring or late fall. Begin by planting the seeds into individual containers filled with compost-rich soil. Make sure the soil remains moist and that the pot is placed in a spot with full sun.

When seedlings reach about four to six inches tall, move them to the garden with two feet separating each plant. Mature Brussels sprouts plants are not suited for weather above 80°F, so make sure to time your planting for when temperatures are cooler.

Tomatoes top the list of must-grow vegetables for a lot of new gardeners, but these fiery numbers tend to be one of the most finicky. When starting tomatoes from seeds and in pots, make sure to leave plenty of room for them to branch out. Crowded conditions stump their growth and lead to disease.

Tomato seedlings need strong, direct light and warm conditions, so while not necessary, a seed-starting mat can aid in quicker germination. While tomatoes need moist soil as seedlings, cut down watering as the fruits ripen to ensure the plant has deeper flavor.

The key to growing nutritious cauliflower indoors begins with selecting a container wide enough to accommodate its growth. Plant the seeds in a pot with loose soil around a month before the last frost of spring or the first frost of fall. Avoid using compact garden soil, as it can prevent air from reaching the shallow roots. With regular watering and plenty of sun, seedlings should appear within 10 days and be ready to replant in the garden after 3 weeks.

It's always helpful to have an onion on hand, as it's one of the most commonly used ingredients in the kitchen. Luckily, it's easy to grow onions from seeds as long as the plants are given plenty of space and light. The size of the initial container is less important, as the main goal is to first germinate the seeds to move outdoors or into a bigger pot.

Spread seeds evenly throughout the pot and cover with a thin layer of soil. Keeping the soil moist and providing the seeds with plenty of light will promote germination more quickly. You can replant the seedlings once they are at least three inches tall.

Because frost greatly damages pepper plants, many gardeners recommend starting these spicy beauties indoors. These plants love the heat, so it's smart to either invest in a heating mat or place them in a warm corner of the house. Peppers are known to have long germinating periods, even with warm soil, so don't get worried if you don't see much change at the beginning. It can take almost two weeks for some varieties to germinate. Once the seedlings sprout their first set of true leaves, the peppers can be transplanted into the garden after the first frost of spring.

Lettuce is one of the few crops that can actually be grown indoors year-round. To start sowing your own seeds, look for an area of your home that gets at least 12 hours of sunlight a day. Growing lamps may come in handy to help make sure these leafy gems get enough light and stay warm.

Opt for loose-leaf varieties, such as Baby Oakleaf and Tom Thumb, as they are much easier to grow than head lettuces. Scatter the seeds over moist soil, cover lightly with more soil, and get ready to watch these beauties grow.

Similar to cauliflower, growing broccoli indoors takes a little bit of extra love, but it's one of the easiest plants to transplant. Start by finding a sunny indoor location, such as a greenhouse or a south-facing windowsill, for the seeds to live. After carefully sowing the seeds, spray them every few days to ensure the soil is most without moving them around. Transfer to the garden once the plant has grown at least five sets of true leaves.