Top 10 Vegetables to Start Indoors for Spring
Top 10 Vegetables to Start Indoors for Spring
Top 10 Vegetables to Start Indoors for Spring
Starting your vegetable seeds indoors under LED grow lights is a fantastic way to get a jump on the growing season. This method allows gardeners to control growing conditions meticulously, ensuring robust and vigorous seedlings ready for transplant. With LED lights, you want to make sure you choose a light that provides the optimal Daily Light Integral (DLI) needs of each plant, promoting healthy growth and development. DLI measures the total amount of light delivered in a day, crucial for effective photosynthesis. If you need help calculating your plant's DLI, please check out Active Grow’s DLI Calculator. Here are ten vegetables ideally suited for this advanced growing technique:
Plant #1
Tomatoes
A garden favorite, tomatoes started indoors flourish under LED lights, which help prevent the legginess often seen in less ideal lighting conditions. They require intense light to develop the sturdy stems and dense foliage that support their fruitful bounty later in the season.
DLI Requirements (mol/m²/d)
Seedling: 8-18
Vegetative to Maturity: 20-32
Plant #2
Leeks
Leeks require a long growing season and starting them indoors allows for earlier transplanting and a longer harvesting period. LED lights provide the consistent, intense light needed for leeks to develop their characteristic mild and sweet flavor.
DLI Requirements (mol/m²/d)
Seedling: 10-15
Vegetative to Maturity: 16-22
Plant #3
Eggplant
These glossy beauties require a warm start and benefit from the high-output light of LEDs to foster their signature deep purple fruits. Starting them indoors ensures they get the head start needed to thrive in the summer garden.
DLI Requirements (mol/m²/d)
Seedling: 12-18
Vegetative to Maturity: 20-30
Plant #4
Basil
Basil is a versatile herb that thrives under LED grow lights, which help produce lush, aromatic leaves. Ideal for culinary uses, basil started indoors can be transplanted outside after the last frost to continue its growth in warmer conditions.
DLI Requirements (mol/m²/d)
Seedling: 12-16
Vegetative to Maturity: 22-26
Plant #5
Cauliflower
Much like broccoli, cauliflower thrives under the controlled environment provided by LEDs. This method ensures that cauliflower heads develop densely and evenly, protected from the stressors that might cause them to bolt or fragment.
DLI Requirements (mol/m²/d)
Seedling: 12-18
Vegetative to Maturity: 15-25
Plant #6
Cabbage
Cabbage benefits greatly from an indoor start, especially in cooler climates. Under LEDs, young cabbage plants grow more uniformly, which can lead to larger and more tender heads at harvest.
DLI Requirements (mol/m²/d)
Seedling: 12-18
Vegetative to Maturity: 15-25
Plant #7
Celery
Celery requires a long growing season and benefits from a precise and controlled start indoors. The steady conditions under LED lights help develop its crunchy stalks by ensuring consistent moisture and nutrients.
DLI Requirements (mol/m²/d)
Seedling: 10-15
Vegetative to Maturity: 16-22
Plant #8
Parsley
As a slow germinator, parsley is ideal for an indoor start under LED lights, where conditions can be finely tuned to encourage sprouting. Once established, parsley can be transplanted outdoors, where it will continue to flourish.
DLI Requirements (mol/m²/d)
Seedling: 10-12
Vegetative to Maturity: 18-24
Plant #9
Arugula
Arugula, with its quick growth cycle and preference for cooler temperatures, benefits greatly from an indoor start. LED lights can help produce peppery, tender leaves quickly, ideal for early spring salads.
DLI Requirements (mol/m²/d)
Seedling: 10-12
Vegetative to Maturity: 15-20
Plant #10
Green Beans
Green beans, both bush and pole varieties, can be started indoors to protect young seedlings from late frosts and pests. Under LED lights, green beans develop strong roots and vigorous growth, ready to climb or spread once they hit the garden soil.
DLI Requirements (mol/m²/d)
Seedling: 10-15
Vegetative to Maturity: 20-25
By starting these vegetables indoors under LED grow lights, gardeners can gain a considerable advantage, producing healthier plants ready for spring planting.