There are several advantages to starting seeds indoors rather than buying plants at a nursery. For instance, when you start with seeds, you have a much larger variety of plants to choose from, and it costs much less to buy plants as seeds.
But, do your research on which plants are best to germinate at home, especially if you are new to the practice.
Indoor seeding is necessary for many species of plants because they do not originate in North America. If you try to plant warmer-climate seeds in North America, the seeds will either die or take too long to sprout.
Discover how to start seeds indoors with this simple guide from Blain’s Farm & Fleet.
If you are new to indoor seeding, we recommend you start small while you learn the seeding process. Also, be aware of the seeds’ days to maturity, as listed on the seed packets. It may be helpful to start with seeds that have similar maturity dates.
On average, you should start seeds indoors about six weeks before the last frost.
Start the germinating process with a sterile and lightweight potting mix soil. We suggest a seed-starting mix. A mixture that is too heavy or not sterile can cause disease.
Place the seeds on the surface of the mix, and space them evenly. Lightly cover the seeds with the mixture. Some seeds should not be covered because they need light to germinate.
Keep seeds that are germinating and sprouts in a warm environment. You’ll need to maintain the proper soil temperature, depending on the type of seeds you’re planting.
Many people keep their seeds on flat panels, seed trays, or in egg cartons until they have germinated. Then, they move the seedlings to larger containers, which can be specially made for sprouts. Or you can make them from household items, such as yogurt containers.
You need to sterilize all containers with a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water. And make sure they will provide adequate drainage holes.
Usually, seeds that have yet to sprout do not need a light source. But once they sprout, they will require a lot of light.
Most gardeners do not rely on natural light, and instead install T-12 or T-8 fluorescent lights above their sprouts. The grow lights should be only three to four inches above the young plants. Be sure not to use incandescent bulbs, as they will burn the plants.
It’s important to be able to raise the lights as the plants grow taller. To avoid mistakes, we recommend using a timer for the lights. The young plants should get 12 to 16 hours of light a day.
Start the seeds in a moistened mix, and place a cover over them to hold in humidity. Once they have sprouted, you can remove the cover.
Water the sprouts from below in their tray. Watering from above can cause fungus to grow.
After a few weeks, you should notice your seedlings have developed their first true leaves. Once this happens, you start using a fertilizer to feed them and provide them with nutrients. Look for a water-soluble fertilizer.
Make sure you follow the instructions for your fertilizer. It’s important not to use too much.
This is not a one-day process. Keep your plants indoors until after the last frost, and then start slowly acclimating them.
Take them outside for a couple hours during the day, and bring them in at night. Do this for about a week before planting them in the outdoor garden.
Starting seeds indoors is a fun and rewarding experience. Just be prepared with the proper supplies and know the specific growing instructions for the seeds you have chosen.
For more how-to guides like this one, check out our Gardening Blog.
