Starting seeds indoors can be beneficial, especially if your growing season is shorter than average. This approach can help plants to grow and mature before your first frost. Factors such as time, budget and space are important when deciding to start seeds indoors. While starting seeds indoors may be considered more advanced, with just enough knowledge and determination, its possible to be successful as a beginner.
Starting seeds indoors involves creating a controlled environment that allows the seeds to germinate, grow as seedlings, and eventually be ready to be transplanted outside. While many plants can be grown from seeds indoors, its important to research whether the plant you would like to grow is suitable for indoors or recommended as direct sow only. Some plants are more suitable to transplant shock (stress response from being moved from one environment to another) than others, so they will be more successful being directly sowed into the soil outdoors.
Once you determine that you will be starting your seeds indoors, the next step is to purchase supplies. You can find seed starting supplies at the same stores that you will find your seeds. Such as Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot, Tractor Supply, Gardening Centers, etc. I am going to provide you with a list of essential supplies that you will need to start your seeds.
Essential Supplies:
Seeds
Seed Tray (can be either a pellet tray, cell tray or open tray)
Seed Pots (unless you are using peat pellets)
Lid for your trays (usually the trays will come with the lid)
Seedling Mat
Grow Light
Seed Starting Mix (this can be a mix specifically for seed starting or a mixture of other mediums you mix yourself)
Misting Bottle
Table, Shelf, etc. for you to place seed trays on
*The pictures above reflect the type of items you will need to purchase for starting your seeds indoors. The specific products will depend on your budget and space availability.
How to start your seeds:
After purchasing your supplies, the next step is to research when to start your seeds. Each plant is going to have a suggested date for it to be started indoors. The negative is that if you try to research this online, you may find many conflicting answers. As a beginner myself, it was a little overwhelming to figure out exactly when I should start the seeds. What I personally did to determine the best date, was take a look at a few resources and try to find an average date. Your hardiness zone will also be a huge factor in what suggestions you will find.
Something to keep in mind prior to starting seeds, is whether or not your seeds need to go through stratification or scarification. Its important to research your specific plant to see if the seeds need either of these techniques.
Stratification is the technique of mimicking natural conditions to assist a seed in breaking dormancy and beginning to germinate. In the wild, a seed typically remains dormant throughout the winter, waiting for warmer temperatures to signal the time for germination. When starting seeds indoors, some require you to replicate these conditions to break dormancy. The most common stratification technique is cold stratification, which involves placing your seeds in the fridge for a certain time period before planting.
Scarification is the technique of helping to break or weaken a seeds outer coat to allow water to penetrate easier and therefore assist the seed in germinating. This technique is usually used for specific seeds, so please research whether it pertains to your seed. The most common methods are using nail clippers or sandpaper to break or weaken the coat.
Resources to find seed starting date:
-Each seed packet will have a suggested date for starting indoors or whether it should be directly sowed into soil.
-Websites such as Bonnie Plants or the companies specific to your seeds may have charts that provide indoor seed starting guidelines based on your hardiness zone.
-"The Old Farmer's Almanac" is a timeless resource used by farmers, gardeners, and others that provides fun-facts, advice, weather predications, planting guidelines, etc. Many people swear by this method.
Once you have determined when to start, now comes the fun part. Many gardeners are itching with anticipation for this moment all year.
Prepare your soil:
If you are using peat pellets to start your seeds, you will need to prepare them by soaking them individually in water, causing them to expand. I find that hot water helps the process go quicker.
Each pellet has an opening on the top that allows you to plant your seed.
If you will be using a seed tray or pot like these, then your first step is to fill them with your desired soil/ seed starting mix.
Plant your seeds:
Due to seeds having a variety of required planting depths, its important to check your seed packet for the correct depth. Some seeds require light for germination whereas others may not. Ensuring that your seed is at the correct depth ensures a higher germination rate. If you are not sure how to achieve the correct depth there are seed tools, such as those pictured below, that you can use to create the right amount of space for your seed. After your seeds are sowed, use a mister bottle to give them a light watering. As you go through your indoor seed starting journey, you are going to want to keep your seeds moist, but not overwatered, as it may cause them to rot.
Place your pellets/ pots in the tray:
Once you have planted your seeds in the pellets or pots, its time to move them into their temporary home. You are going to want to place them in whatever tray you have purchased and cover them with their lid. Most trays will come with a humidity "dome" that is manufactured with ventilator holes. For the duration of germination, you are going to want to keep those holes covered, to ensure property humidity for your seeds. Once the seeds have germinated, they will no longer need the humidity cover but rather proper air ventilation.
Place your seed starting tray onto the seedling heat mat:
Seeds have optimal temperatures at which they germinate. If your environment is too cold for them and they are not receiving adequate heat, it may cause the germination to be delayed or to not occur at all. On whatever surface you will be using to grow your seeds, put your seedling mat down, then place your tray on top of it. The recommendation is that you keep your seedling mat plugged in continuously until you have reached the sprouting stage, however, if it makes you feel uncomfortable to keep it on that long, I have personally turned mine off at night and still had successful germination. Once your seeds have germinated, they will no longer need the seedling mat.
Install your grow lights
As I previously stated, certain seeds need light to germinate, while others do not. Using a grow light during germination is optional; I choose not to. However, when you reach the sprouting stage, your seedlings will require additional light to thrive. Some might believe that grow lights aren't needed and that a bright window is enough, but windows do not provide sufficient lighting for your seedlings. With the lack of a proper grow light, seedlings might try to grow towards the light source (such as a window) in order to receive proper light, resulting in them being leggy (which is something we don't want in a seedling). When using a grow light, you want to almost mimic a day and night pattern. You do not need to keep them on all day, every day. I usually turn mine on in the morning, leave on for at least 8-10 hours, and then turn them off. Be sure to watch the moisture levels of your seedlings as the grow light may dry them out quicker.
After finishing these steps, you have officially begun growing your seeds indoors. In the upcoming weeks, you'll be "babysitting" your seeds and seedlings, making sure they have the right conditions to flourish. I use the term babysitting because seeds can grow on their own; they handle the hard work. Your role is to make sure their requirements are fulfilled, such as providing water (keep them moist, not soaked), light, and other essentials.
*With plants having differing start dates, you may find yourself repeating this process a few times until its time to transplant outdoors.
Until next time,
Wishing you green thumbs and sunny days!
-Makensie
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