It's the middle of winter, and we are ready for some green. This time of year always gets me anxious to start seeds indoors. After all, spring is just around the corner!
Every year about this time, I am asked, "Can I start my seeds indoors yet?" The short answer is, "Not quite yet!"
Most annuals and vegetables grown from seed need to be planted indoors 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting in the garden. Considering that our frost-free date for much of Iowa isn't until the first part of May, we have quite a bit of time before seeds need to be sown.
But I know you're anxious, so here are some things you can do right now in January and early February to prepare.
Create a Seed Sowing Schedule
To avoid the temptation to plant seeds too early, creating a seed sowing schedule can help keep you honest. Some vegetables, such as tomatoes, may require as little as four weeks of indoor growth. Some annuals require upwards of 16 weeks to germinate and reach a size suitable for transplanting. Once you receive your seeds, consult the packet and note the number of weeks required for indoor growth.
Some annuals and vegetables can only be planted after the danger of frost has passed. This includes tomatoes, peppers, marigolds, impatiens, and zonal geraniums, among others. Count back from your frost-free week, the number of weeks needed indoors, and that's the week you can sow seed. Don't forget to add a week or two for hardening off. In Iowa, the typical frost-free date is the first or second week of May. This means that for species that require six weeks (plus one for hardening off), you should plant in the third week of March. Those that need eight weeks, the first week of March, and those that need 12 weeks, the first week of February.
Cool-season vegetables and annuals, such as pansies, snapdragons, broccoli, and cabbage, can be planted outside several weeks before the last expected frost date, as they tolerate late freezes. The planting date for these species is often mid-April, so you can shift back the sowing date about two weeks.
Order Seed from Catalogs & Websites
Winter is the perfect time to plan your garden. Browse catalogs and websites early for the best selection of annuals and vegetables, and choose varieties based on taste, size, color, and disease resistance. Popular seeds sell out fast, so shopping now means you can get what you want! Seeds can be purchased at local garden centers or from mail-order companies.
Gather Seed Starting Supplies
Now is a good time to gather all the necessary supplies so you are ready to sow seed when the time comes. Seeds, containers, soil or media, and supplemental lighting are all necessary to produce high-quality transplants. Learn more in this article: Guide to Starting Seed Indoors.
Test Germination Rates of Stored Seed
If you saved seeds from last year to plant this year, now is a great time to test the germination rate to be sure they are viable and worth the time to sow and grow. Learn more in this article: How to Store Seeds and Test Germination Rates.
A Few Species You Can Sow Very Soon!
While most annuals and vegetables only require 6 to 8 weeks of growth indoors before transplanting outside, there are a few species that take a little longer. Annuals that require 10-14 weeks indoors before transplanting outside include:
- Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflora) 14-16 weeks
- Geranium (Pelargonium) 12-14 weeks
- Wax Begonia (Begonia) 12-14 weeks
- Pansies (Viola) 12-14 weeks
- Dusty Miller (Senecio) 10-12 weeks
- Impatiens (Impatiens) 10-12 weeks
- Periwinkle (Catharanthus) 10-12 weeks
- Coleus (Coleus) 8-10 weeks
- Petunia (Petunia) 8-10 weeks
- Snapdragon (Antirrhinum) 8-10 weeks
Consult this article to determine the sowing date for these and other annuals and vegetables: Germination Requirements for Annuals and Vegetables.
Start Perennials From Seed
Some perennials, such as columbine, purple coneflower, and blackberry lily, are easily propagated by seed. So if you want more perennials, you can try growing them from seed. Many require cold stratification and take years to bloom, making winter a good time to start seeds indoors or provide chilling. Learn more in this article: How to Grow Perennials from Seed.
More Information
When you're ready to sow seed, click below to find all the information you need to be successful.
Guide to Starting Seed Indoors
Photo credits: 1: Julie Clopper AdobeStock; 2; Aaron Steil; 3: Belinda Brain; 4: Aaron Steil
Links to this article are strongly encouraged, and this article may be republished without further permission if published as written and if credit is given to the author, Yard and Garden, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. If this article is to be used in any other manner, permission from the author is required. This article was originally published on January 9, 2026. The information contained within may not be the most current and accurate depending on when it is accessed.