How to Start Seeds Indoors
So, you want to grow your own plants for your garden? In this article, we share the ins and outs of how to start seeds indoors.
Starting seeds indoors does cost money in the beginning to obtain the proper equipment and materials, but it is a great way to save money in the long run. Over the years, the money saved makes it worth it.
Be sure your seeds are from a reputable seed company. Otherwise, the likelihood of the seeds not germinating increases.
Equipment and Materials to Start Sowing Seeds
To start seeds, you need the appropriate equipment and materials.
- Seed starting mix
- Containers
- Plastic dome or plastic wrap
- Heating pad
- Light source
- Fan (optional)
Seed Starting Mix
The best seed starting mix is a soilless mix. These mixes contain peat moss, vermiculite, perlite, and some fertilizer.
Soilless mix is important to use because it is sterile. Therefore, it reduces the probability of the plants getting a soilborne disease.
Do not use soil from outside in your yard. Outside soil, more than likely, contains insects and possibly diseases.
Containers
The most popular containers for starting seeds are flats. Flats are rectangular and contain individual cells. Flats are available at any local nursery or garden center.
Many other items can be used as containers as well: small pots, plastic clamshell containers that fruit comes in, cut-off milk cartons, plastic jugs, yogurt cups, etc.
It is vital that whatever container you choose to grow seeds in have drainage holes. Without drainage holes, the plant’s roots get too wet and develop root rot.
Plastic Wrap or Plastic Dome
When seeds are first sown, moisture is essential to germination.
Plastic wrap or a plastic dome (flats generally come with these) traps the moisture, creating a mini greenhouse. Clamshell containers have a plastic top built-in.
To prevent the soil from drying out, wrap the top of the container with plastic wrap or place a plastic dome on top of the flat.
Heating Pad
To germinate, seeds need warmth. The ideal temperature for most seeds to germinate is between 65 and 75 degrees. This chart shows the temperature needs of common plants.
If you have a warm location in your home, a heating pad is not necessary.
Light Source
Once seeds sprout, a light source must be available. Without a light source, plants will not produce the sugars necessary for growth. There is no need to purchase specialty grow lights. Inexpensive fluorescent bulbs provide the necessary light plants need.
Fan (optional)
Fans simulate wind. Having a fan blow on your seedlings allows the stems to grow strong and sturdy.
Another option is to brush your hand along the plants several times a day. This action also produces strong stems.
How to Start Seeds Indoors
Location
Choose a location that does not have cold drafts or too much heat. Air temperatures above 60ºF are ideal.
Windowsills seem like a good idea at first because of the sunlight. However, the temperature fluctuations from day to night on windowsills are harmful to seed germination. Seeds and newly sprouted plants need consistent temperatures.
Sowing the Seeds
Unlike some websites that say to sow one seed per cell, I plant multiple seeds per cell. When the seeds sprout and grow, I transplant the healthiest ones to individual cells. I have found this is the best way to save space and ensure I get enough plants for my garden.
When sowing the seeds, make sure to follow the instructions on the back of the seed packet. Plant the seeds to the appropriate depth.
Label each cell with a plastic tag and permanent marker. If you are like me, you forget which plants are which. Labeling saves so much frustration.
Once you have sown all seeds, water them in. Place the plastic dome or wrap over the containers and place them on the heating pad.
Keeping the soil moist aids in the germination. Add water to the pan the cells sit in so the mix absorbs water, or gently spray the soil with a spray bottle of water.
After the plants break the surface of the soil, place the sprouts under the lights and remove the heating pad. The lights need to be 2 to 4 inches above the sprouts to avoid getting “leggy”.
Keep the lights on the plants 12 – 14 hours a day. Do not leave them on all the time. Darkness is just as essential for growth as light.
Once the plants get some height, place a fan on them or brush your hand across them several times a day to simulate the air movement outside.
Transplanting
When your seedlings become crowded (multiple plants in one cell), transplant them into their own containers. If you sowed one seed per cell, transplant the seedling into a larger container.
To transplant, carefully lift the rootball out with a spoon or scoop. If several seedlings are in one cell, gently separate them. Never lift the plant by the stem. You risk damaging your plant and even killing it.
When transplanting tomato or other nightshade seedlings, bury them to right under their first set of leaves. This area is called the shoulders. Nightshade plants produce more roots along their stem if buried, creating a larger root system and a healthier plant.
Hardening Off
Hardening off your seedlings is by far the most patience-testing task of sowing your own seeds. However, it is also one of the most important parts of having healthy garden crops.
Because plants sown indoors don’t have exposure to full sun, fluctuating temperatures, and wind, gradually introducing them to these environmental factors helps ensure they survive once added to your garden.
Two weeks (four weeks for tomatoes) before placing them in the garden start moving your seedlings outside. Do not place them in full sun right away. This sun exposure leads to sun scorch.
At first, place your plant in the shade for a few hours during the warmest part of the day. As the days go on, leave the plants outside a little longer each day, exposing them to more sunlight. If their leaves turn brown or get crispy, the plants need less sun.
If you do not have a lot of shade, shade cloths create shade and don’t cost a lot of money. You can also make your own shade with two chairs and a sheet. When using a sheet or shade cloth, be sure the plants do not get too hot.
After two weeks, leave the seedlings outside unless temperatures drop below freezing. Transplant them in your garden when you are ready.
Planting Your Seedlings
Be sure to plant your seedlings on a cloudy day or later in the evening. The transplant process is stressful enough for your new plants. They don’t need the stress of full sun too.
If you have your seedlings in compostable containers, trim the tops to below the soil surface to prevent water from wicking away from the root zone. Also, cut holes in the bottom of the pots. These holes allow the roots to spread and grow into a larger area.
Sowing your own seeds indoors is very rewarding and cost-effective. Let us know if you have any questions. Happy gardening!
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How to Start Seeds Indoors
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I’ve always loved gardening and recently started gardening full-time. I also enjoy tending to our chickens, dogs, and other family pets (a bird, a snake, and rabbits).
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