Skip to content

We are looking forward to the New Season of 2025!

The farm stand at 106 East Bare Hill Road in Harvard , MA will open at the end of March (provided that by then we don’t have any more snow on the ground).
We are already growing pepper plants, pansies and parsley in our green house. Every week more vegetables and flowers are started from seed. It’s a joy seeing the seedlings emerge, giving hope that this relentless winter will eventually end. Try it out – it’s not rocket science.

It’s time for starting Vegetables & Flowers Indoors! Here a brief guide for home gardeners:

Starting vegetables, herbs and flowers indoors is a great way to get a jump on the growing season, ensuring strong, healthy plants ready for transplanting when the weather warms. By providing the right conditions, you can extend your growing season and enjoy earlier harvests and blooms. Consider starting only a few plants of each kind early and directly seeding more into the garden later. This way, you will be able to enjoy for example fresh cucumbers and zucchini for more weeks than if you start all seeds at the same time.

Materials Needed:

  • Seed trays or small pots (yoghurt containers will work if you drill a small hole into the bottom)
  • Seed-starting mix (light, well-draining, sterile. Some come enriched with fertilizers. Good spirits Farm always uses organic seed starting mixes.)
  • Grow lights or a bright, sunny window. (Read instructions on the seed package. Some seeds germinate better in the dark, e.g. Pansies and therefore need protection from light in the first two weeks).Heat mat (for warmth-loving plants – speeds up germination)
  • Watering can or spray bottle
  • Liquid fertilizer (diluted for young seedlings.)

Temperature & Growing Conditions

Most seeds germinate best between 65-75°F, though some warm-season crops need extra heat. Pay attention to instructions on the seed packet: Some seeds need light to germinate and therefore should not get covered by soil. Keep the soil ne evenly moist. Once germinated, seedlings should have 12-16 hours of light per day.

How Many Weeks to Grow Indoors?

The time needed varies by plant, but most seedlings should be started 4-10 weeks before the last frost date, which is mid- May in Central Massachusetts.  If too many seedlings germinate in a pot, or the seedlings are too close together, separate them and plant additional pots after the first true leaves developed.

Fertilizer Needs

  • Start feeding seedlings once they develop their first true leaves, using a half-strength liquid fertilizer every 1-2 weeks.
  • Increase to full-strength as they mature.

When to transplant into garden?

Generally, wait until there is no longer any danger of frost. Some plants, such as kale or lettuce can handle cold temperatures better than warm weather plants such as tomatoes, eggplants and peppers. Before fully transplanting into the garden, help your seedlings to adjust to outside conditions by putting them out at first only for a few hours per day. After transplanting into the garden make sure to water frequently until young plants are established.

Specific Growing Information

Vegetables

  • Tomatoes: Start indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Keep at 70-75°F. Fertilize every 10-14 days.
  • Peppers: Start 8-10 weeks before the last frost. Maintain 70-80°F for germination. Fertilize weekly after true leaves appear.
  • Kale: Start 4-6 weeks before transplanting. Keep at 55-75°F. Feed lightly every 2 weeks.

Herbs

  • Basil: Start 4-6 weeks before the last frost. Prefers 65-75°F. Fertilize lightly every 10-14 days.
  • Parsley: Start 8-10 weeks early. Needs 65-75°F. Germination takes 2-3 weeks, so be patient! Feed lightly. (No problem to start later, just transfer to the garden a bit later. Wait until young plant strong enough.

Flowers

  • Zinnias: Start 4-6 weeks before transplanting. Keep at 70-75°F. Feed every 2 weeks after true leaves appear.

By following these guidelines, you’ll have strong, healthy plants ready for the garden when the time is right! And don’t worry if something goes wrong:
We will sell vegetable and herb plants ready for transplanting into your garden starting at the end of April at our farm stand: Good Spirits Farm, 106 East Bare Hill Road in Harvard., MA The farm stand, which includes the nearby shed, is self-serve and honesty based and is open daily from 8 AM to 8 PM.

Good  Spirits Farm
106 East Bare Hill Road
Harvard, MA 01451