Fall Garden Seed Starting Secrets - Ep. 257

Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening

Fall might still feel far off, but if you want a successful fall harvest, now is the time to start those seeds indoors. Today on Just Grow Something, I walk you through the step-by-step timing strategy for indoor seed starting specifically for fall gardening.

Learn how to:

• Calculate back from your first fall frost date to find yoursowing and transplanting windows

• Adjust days to maturity using the “fall buffer” method

• Choose the best crops to start indoors based on your zone and daylight hours

• Utilize strategies for short-season gardeners and season extenders

From understanding the Persephone period to selectingshort-season varieties, this episode equips you with the tools to master indoor seed starting for the fall garden. Let’s dig in!

Fall Buffer Chart:

Planting Window Before Frost: Days to Maturity Adjustment

> 11 weeks: +10% buffer

8–10 week: +20% buffer

5–7 weeks: +40% buffer

3–4 week: +70% buffer

Links:

Save 20% on your new own-root rose plant at Heirloom Roses with code JUSTGROW https://heirloomroses.com

Seed to Sprout Course: https://www.justgrowsomething.com/indoor-seed-starting

Resources:

Plant Growth Factors: Temperature

Sowing Planting Calculation | UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

Fall Vegetable Gardening | UGA Cooperative Extension

Find the full show notes at https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/episode/fall-garden-seed-starting-secrets-ep-257