Starting Seeds Late This Spring (And Why I’m Doing It Anyway)
Updated: Apr 11
Spring always feels like a fresh start.
And this year… I almost missed it.
Between building our real estate business through Loveadorish Properties and just the pace of life lately, the weeks I normally spend planning and planting kind of slipped by. One minute it was early March… and the next thing I knew, I was behind.
Really behind.
Late starting my seedlings.
Late getting outside.
Late doing something I actually love.
And honestly, I was a little frustrated with myself.
This is the year we’re home more.The year we could actually enjoy the garden.And somehow… this is the year I dropped the ball.
Getting My Hands Back in the Dirt
When I finally sat down to plant, I almost didn’t even feel like doing it.
But the second I opened the soil and started working with it… everything shifted.
There’s just something about it.
The smell of the dirt.
The feel of it in your hands.
The quiet.
I didn’t realize how much tension I had been carrying until it started to melt away.
All the business stress.
All the “what do we need to do next?” thoughts…
They just quieted down.
Not because anything changed—but because I stepped away from it for a minute.
And I needed that more than I realized.
A Little Reality Check
Sitting there planting, I had this moment of…
Why am I being so hard on myself?
Life has been full.
We’ve been building something important.
Of course something had to give.
But instead of just accepting that, I was annoyed that I didn’t do it “right.”
Didn’t start on time.
Didn’t plan it out perfectly.
Didn’t stay on top of it like I usually do.
And I think a lot of us do that.
We expect ourselves to keep everything running smoothly all the time.
But that’s not real life.
Sometimes you start late.
Sometimes things don’t go according to plan.
And that doesn’t mean you missed your chance.
If You’re Behind… You’re Not Alone
If you’re sitting there thinking:
“I should have started weeks ago…”
“I missed the window…”
You didn’t.
You can still plant.
You can still grow something.
You can still enjoy the process.
The garden doesn’t care if you started on time.
And honestly, I don’t think God does either.
He still provides growth.
Even when we’re late.
Even when we didn’t do everything perfectly.
That was a good reminder for me.
Little Wins in the Garden
Even with my late start, I’m already seeing things come back to life.
Herbs I planted last year are popping up again
My strawberries are starting to flower
And my tulips—planted just a few weeks ago after sitting in the garage...are actually growing!!!
I didn’t do everything right.
But things are still growing anyway.
And that feels like a bit of grace.
Keeping It Simple This Year
Instead of trying to catch up and do everything, I’m doing less.
Focusing on:
✔ A few things I actually want to grow
✔ Things we’ll use and maybe preserve
✔ Spending more time outside
✔ Letting this be something I enjoy again
No pressure to make it perfect.
No pressure to do it all.
Just… getting back to it.
If You Want to Start (Even Now)
If you’re jumping in late like I am, you really don’t need much to get going.
A few basics:
Seed starter trays
A simple grow light (if you’re indoors)
Good seed starting soil
Plant labels (you will forget what you planted)
That’s it. Nothing complicated.
Here’s what I planted:
Tomatoes
I went ahead and planted these anyway. They do well once the soil warms, so I knew I wasn’t too late.
Squash
These grow quickly and tend to catch up fast, which made them an easy choice.
Cucumbers
I actually feel better planting these a little later. They seem to prefer the warmer soil.
Beans
One of the simplest things I planted. They grow fast and don’t need much fuss.
Zinnias
These felt like the perfect late-start flower. Quick to grow and worth it for the color.
Herbs
I planted a mix of basil, parsley, and dill. They all do well once things warm up.
I didn’t miss my chance. If anything, I may have planted at just the right time.
A Few Things That Made Getting Started Easier
I kept things really simple this year—but there were a few things that made it feel a lot easier to just sit down and start.
Nothing fancy. Just practical.
These are what I’ve been using:
Seed starter trays – I like the ones with lids because they hold moisture really well and give the seeds a good start
A simple grow light – especially helpful since I started later and want to give everything a boost
Seed starting soil – lighter and better for seedlings than regular garden soil
Plant labels – because I always think I’ll remember… and I never do
OR...a plant journal – where I write down what I plant using my own organization system (post coming soon on this!)
I didn’t overcomplicate it. I just got what I needed and got started.
And honestly—that made all the difference.
One Thing I Didn’t Expect to Love
This wasn’t something I planned on getting… but it’s quickly become one of my favorite things to bring outside with me.
It’s a simple harvest basket with holes so you can rinse everything right there.
I’ll grab herbs, a few greens, even flowers—and instead of making a mess bringing everything inside, I can rinse it before I walk in.
It’s one of those little things that just makes the whole experience easier… and a little more enjoyable.
Why This Matters (At Least for Me)
Gardening isn’t just about what I grow.
It’s one of the few places where I slow down.
Where I step away from everything else.
Where I feel more grounded.
Where I feel closer to God.
And I think I need more of that this year.
More time outside.
More balance.
Less rushing from one thing to the next.
So Here’s Where I Landed
I started late.
And I’m doing it anyway.
Not perfectly.
Not on schedule.
But I’m doing it.
If you’re behind too…
Just START!
Plant something.
Step outside.
Get your hands in the dirt.
It doesn’t have to be perfect to be worth it.
And even if you start late…
There’s still so much that can grow.
-Jill
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