Getting Snowed In? It’s the Perfect Time to Start Planning Your Garden!

If you’re finding yourself snowed in this weekend, take advantage of the downtime and start planning your garden for the year ahead. Seed starting season is just around the corner in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, and a little preparation now can make all the difference for a strong, healthy garden come spring.

We’ve just received a fresh shipment of vegetable, herb, and flower seeds at New Leaf Greenhouse & Market as we prepare for greenhouse season, and now is the perfect time to gather supplies, organize your space, and map out your planting schedule.

Step 1: Gather Your Seed-Starting Supplies

Before you sow a single seed, make sure you have:

• Seed-starting trays or small pots with drainage

• High-quality seed-starting mix (lighter than regular potting soil)

• Plant labels or popsicle sticks

• A spray bottle or gentle watering can

• Grow lights or a bright south-facing window

• A heat mat (optional but helpful for peppers and tomatoes)

Using sterile, lightweight seed-starting mix helps prevent disease and allows delicate roots to grow easily.

Step 2: What You Can Start Indoors Right Now (Late January–Early February)

These crops are slow growers and benefit from an early start:

Vegetables

• Onions (from seed)

• Leeks

• Celery

• Artichokes

Herbs

• Parsley

• Thyme

• Oregano

• Sage

• Lavender

Sow seeds shallowly, lightly cover with soil, mist with water, and keep warm (65–75°F). Most of these take 2–3 weeks to germinate.

Step 3: What to Start in February

Vegetables

• Broccoli

• Cabbage

• Cauliflower

• Kale

• Brussels Sprouts

Flowers

• Snapdragons

• Pansies

• Petunias

• Verbena

• Dianthus

These cool-season plants can be transplanted outdoors earlier and tolerate spring chill.

Step 4: What to Start in March

Vegetables

• Tomatoes

• Peppers

• Eggplant

Herbs

• Basil

• Cilantro

• Dill

Flowers

• Zinnias

• Marigolds

• Cosmos

• Sunflowers

Warm-season crops need heat and light—grow lights are especially helpful for sturdy, non-leggy seedlings.

Step 5: Light, Water & Temperature

Light:Seedlings need 12–16 hours of bright light daily. Grow lights placed 2–3 inches above plants work best.

Water:Keep soil consistently moist, not soaked. Bottom watering helps prevent damping-off disease.

Airflow:A small fan improves stem strength and prevents fungal issues.

Temperature:Most seeds germinate best between 65–75°F. Tomatoes and peppers love warmth.

Step 6: Hardening Off Before Planting Outside

About 7–10 days before transplanting, begin “hardening off” your seedlings:

• Start with 1–2 hours outside in shade

• Gradually increase sun exposure and time outdoors

• Bring in at night if temperatures drop

This helps prevent shock and sunburn.

Step 7: Plan Your Garden Layout

Snow days are perfect for sketching your garden:

• Rotate crops from last year

• Group plants with similar water and sun needs

• Leave space for mature plant size

• Consider succession planting for extended harvests

Need Help Choosing Seeds?

We’ve just stocked fresh vegetables, herbs, and flower seeds and would love to help you select varieties that thrive in the Eastern Panhandle climate. Whether you’re a first-time gardener or a seasoned grower, our team is happy to walk you through timing, soil prep, and variety selection.

📞 Have questions? Give us a call or stop in—we’re always here to help you grow.🌿 New Leaf Greenhouse & Market – Your local partner in every season of growing.