Why I’m Skipping Most Indoor Seed-Starting in Vermont (But Not All)

Gardening can be a labor-intensive sport. Over the years, I’ve realized that starting most seeds indoors just isn’t worth the extra work. The vast majority of vegetables and herbs I like to grow are directly sown into the soil once it’s warm enough—which, let’s be real, doesn’t happen until late May or early June. Starting too early is pointless because the plants will struggle, and a late frost could wipe them out completely. Working with nature instead of against it makes gardening easier and leads to better results. People will assume you’ve got some magical green thumb, but really, you’re just following the natural rhythm of the Earth. But that means listening to Mother Nature’s schedule, not your own.

This doesn’t mean Iwon’t seeds indoors this year. But in the past I bought seedlings from trusted nurseries because I didn’t have space set up for them to thrive but there’s one big problem with commerical grows: everything comes in plastic. It’s nearly impossible to find seedlings grown in a plastic-free environment, which is why this year, I’ve decided to start my vegetables and herbs myself—not because I love the extra work, but because I want to reduce plastic waste in my gardening practice. I have turned an office in my house into an idoor grow room outfitted with a 6 x 4 tent, ventilation and wireless controller to make sure that all important balance of light and humidity give my seeds the best start. It took me a decade to advance and was not built overnight. Sure, there is always something more I could buy or add but for the moment, I would say I feel pretty fortunate to have this space carved out so I can have complete control over how my food is grown.

When I first started growing, I didn’t think it made a huge difference what kind of soil mix I used. I figured seed-starting mix, potting mix, and compost were all pretty much the same. Turns out, they each have their own role. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can make your own blends—but here is one placec I like to keep things simple and buy from companies I trust— at least for now. Could I find a recipe online, source all the ingredients, and mix them myself? Sure. But that means tracking down a bunch of materials (which, ironically, all come in plastic bags), and that’s just not on my agenda yet. My long-term goal is to find plastic-free alternatives for these ingredients, but for now, I’m focusing on reducing waste where I can. Plastic is cheap, convenient, and admittedly useful in gardening, but it eventually breaks down into microplastics—and if I’m putting in the effort to grow my own food, I sure don’t want to add mircoplastics or the chemicals associated in theie production to entire the Earth or my body in the process.

So what does a Vermont gardener do in early March? Well, beside pregaming my grow room, I’ve been sorting through my seeds, debating whether to host a seed-throwing party—which sounds fun in theory, but realistically, I like to keep my seed packets intact for the information on them, and I save seeds for years. Seed prices have skyrocketed—what used to be a minimal expense is now $5 or more—so I don’t take my collection lightly. I store my seeds in a breathable wooden and wicker box, keeping them cool and viable for as long as possible.There are usually plenty of seed swaps organized on a larger scale so I don’t see myself contributing much to what seems is oversaturated market.

For members who subscribe to my Friends of BB Lane Gardens, I’m offering to share a few seeds—up to 5 or 10 of a specific variety—available for pickup at Lunaria Estate. I’ll be posting a video of my seed collection, so if something catches your eye, let me know. Plastic-free packaging, I promise. I’ve also got plenty of Marigold and hybrid vine beans (purple and green) and a few other special varieties I’ve saved from my own garden. which I can share up to 100 seeds to the first 10 Friends of BB Lane that are willing to come pick them up by appointment.

So yes, for the most part a Vermont Gardener isn’t doing much yet because we don’t need to rush into planting. But if you’re growing tomatoes or peppers, now’s the time to start them indoors, which is exactly what I just got done doing. Unless you want to buy them from a nursery which is a perfect time saving solution and worth it if you don’t want the hassle of starting them inside. The same goes for herbs and perennials like rosemary, lavender, thyme, and oregano, which need about 8 to 12 weeks before the last frost to establish properly. If you want to start them from seed now, you’ll want to do that ASAP but don’t worry, if you miss the window, you can buy them in May once it’s closer to planting time. My go to for seedlings is Red Wagon, right here in Hinesburg, VT. As the season approaches, I will likely have plenty of seedlings to share with Friends of BB Lane Gardens, which I will give more details once they are available.

One thing I’ve learned is that it’s easy to underestimate how much space each plant will need. For example, 10 basil plants can take up an entire 3’ x 12 bed—yet I see people leaving garden centers with 10 packets of seeds, without realizing they only have space for a fraction of them. Before you start planting, think about the end result. Not just the tiny seed in your hand, but the full-grown plant and how much space it will need. Otherwise, you’ll end up with more plants than you can realistically fit—or take care of. Too many plants means too much work.

So is all this work to grow your own food actually worth it? That depends. If you add up time, money, and effort, sometimes it’s cheaper and easier to buy from a local farmer. In the past, that was a no-brainer—but with food quality dwindling due to most food being grown indoors, it’s becoming more advantageous to grow certain things yourself if you enjoy open pollinated flavors and want real rain to touch the veggies. If you’re looking for specialty, high-quality food, you’ll probably have to grow it yourself, because farms prioritize profit over perfection. And that’s not a knock on farmers—it’s just reality. No business can survive while losing money. The real reason I do this is because I’m a foodie at heart and want the very best ingredients to vook with. There is not much more I enjoy than foraging my garden after a beautiful day of leisure before cooking an amazingly heathy vibrant dinner. Summers are particularly spectacular and I hope to share that on a small scale with those who become Friends of BB Lane Garden.

If you’re here, you’re probably a gardening enthusiast, not a commercial grower. That means you’re not doing this for money, but you also don’t want to waste money, time, or resources. Every seed you plant, every tray you fill, and every plant you grow takes energy—yours, the Earth’s, and the environment’s. So, be intentional. Grow what makes sense for you and your family. Simplify wherever possible. And most importantly, enjoy the process—because if it feels like a chore, you’re doing it wrong.

Happy planting! 🌱✨