RADIO TRANSCRIPT
January 13, 2025
Matt Rodriguez

This is Matt Rodriguez, horticulture agent with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Burke Center.

Today’s program will cover how to sow seeds in the winter for your Spring garden. Start thinking about what you want to grow as the first few weeks of February are the best time to start your seeds. All you need is a sunny windowsill or indoor grow lights. It’s important to know when to start what kind of vegetable you want to grow. The cool-season crops, like broccoli, cabbage, and onion, are planted outdoors in mid-April. Vegetables like tomatoes, squash, and cucumbers are planted outdoors around mid-May. Eggplant, okra, and peppers are planted outdoors around the first of May. It’s all about the timing. Think about how it will take 5 to 10 days for seeds to germinate, 3 to 6 weeks for seedlings to grow, and 1 to 2 weeks for seedlings to harden off before planting outside. Hardening is just exposing your seedlings to cooler temperatures over time to prepare them for the outdoors. When you're ready to transplant, plant them on a cloudy day or late afternoon to prevent sun damage.

This has been Matt Rodriguez, horticulture agent with North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Burke Center. For more information, call us at 828-764-9480.