What Seeds You Can Start Indoors in January/February in Metro Detroit
When to Start Seeds Indoors (And How to Avoid Starting Too Early)
If you're starting seeds indoors this year, timing is everything.
Start too early and your seedlings become leggy, stressed, pot-bound, and needy long before your garden is ready for them.
Some crops grow incredibly fast (like tomatoes and kale).Others need a head start (like onions or celery).
And some should never be started indoors at all.
Let’s make this simple.
Before You Begin: Know Your Microclimate
One thing I wish every beginner knew sooner:
👉 Every Michigan gardener has their own microclimate.
My garden in Ferndale, MI has an estimated last frost date in Mid-May. Just twenty minutes north?
The last frost date is a week later.
So seed-starting charts are helpful, but not perfect.
Use them as a guide—but let your own frost date lead the way.
So—What Should You Start Indoors?
Indoor seed starting is best reserved for:
crops that take a very long time to mature
crops that dislike cold soil
crops you want an early jump on
Below is what I recommend.
JANUARY INDOOR SEED STARTING
Best for long-season + slow-growing crops:
Onion
Leek
Celery
Thyme
Kale
Swiss chard
Eucalyptus
Eggplant
Oregano
Parsley
Rosemary
FEBRUARY INDOOR SEED STARTING
A mix of cold-tolerant crops and slow growers:
Artichoke
Cabbage
Kale
Kohlrabi
Lettuce (optional — many prefer to direct sow)
Mustard
Bok choy (optional — grows beautifully from seed outdoors)
A Reminder for Beginners
You do not need a huge indoor grow-light setup to succeed.
Many crops are happiest planted directly into your raised beds in spring such as:
carrots
peas
spinach
cilantro
radishes
dill
arugula
Knowing which plants belong indoors vs outdoors is the key to keeping seed starting simple.
✨Want to Start Your Garden the Easy Way?
If seed-starting feels confusing—or like you're constantly second-guessing your timing—my free class will make everything feel clearer:
🌱 Stop Guessing: The Keys to Easy Growing
Inside, you’ll learn:
what to start indoors vs what to direct sow
the timing that actually works here in Michigan
how your garden setup affects seed-starting success
why a few minutes of consistent tending is all you really need
✨ Watch the free masterclass here.
It’s the perfect next step if you want to grow with confidence this year.
