Last year I experimented a lot with starting seeds indoors and learned a few things in the process. I thought I’d share a bit of what I learned through trial and error so that you can skip my mistakes.
Photo by abreathoffrenchair
LIGHT
The hardest thing to provide seeds started indoors is light. It’s almost impossible to use just the light from windows. Most likely you’ll need a grow light. You can use something as simple as an incandescent grow bulb that fits into a regular household lamp. They are available for purchase for between $5-$15. I have one such bulb in an old lamp that has a moveable arm.
You’ll need to keep the light on for between 12-15 hours each day. The easiest way to do this is to use a timer that you plug the lamp into, which will turn the light on and off automatically. Timers are really cheap and can be picked up at a hardware store. Of course, you could also turn the lights on and off yourself. But seeds need both light and dark, so don’t think you can get ahead by leaving the light on all the time.
SOIL
I’ve had the best results using peat moss mixed with perlite. I’ve also had success with Jiffy peat pellets. What hasn’t worked for me is regular potting soil. I don’t know why, but I’ve had trouble getting good germination results with the potting soil I use outdoors.
You should know that peat may not be the most environmentally friendly seed starting medium. A more eco-sensitive option is coir, which is made from the husks of coconuts. You should be able to get peat or coconut coir where ever you purchase potting soil.
WHEN TO SOW
The first thing you need to know is when your last frost date is. This is the day which is, on average, the last day your area can reasonably expect a frost. If you don’t know your last frost date, this site will tell you the date for your area.
After you know that date, count backwards 4-6 weeks. That is the date you should sow your seeds indoors. The longer the particular type of seed you are growing takes to germinate, the more time you should allow. But a quick to germinate seed should be fine with 4 weeks. You can find out how long a particular seed takes to germinate by looking at the back of the seed’s packet.
WATERING
In my experience, it’s best to water seedlings and yet-to-sprout seeds from the bottom. By this I mean putting the container the seed/ling is growing in into a larger container that has an inch or two of water in the bottom and allow the dirt in the container to draw up the water through the drainage hole.
If you water from the top (i.e. the normal way) you are likely to disrupt the seed or damage a delicate seedling.
MISCELLANEOUS ADVICE
- If you have old seeds that are large–like sweet peas–they are still good if they sink when put in a cup of water.
- Follow the back of the seed packet!
What have you learned about starting seeds indoors? Have any questions? Ask them in the comments!
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
When I was seed starting on a small scale the only light source I used was my kitchen windowsill. I resist grow lights purely for aesthetic reasons. Now I sow seeds indoors stick them in the hobby greenhouse and hope for the best.
Like you I’ve used the Jiffy peat pellets then transferred the peat pellets into biodegradable pots. I’ve used peat moss mixed with perlite. Now I use Vermont Compost Fort Vee Potting Soil. It’s what Martha uses to start her seeds and I love the stuff.
I’ve been trying to follow the seed packet instructions more carefully but sometimes I slack off. I’ve learned to not start seeds too early. I have to re-sow all of my tomato seeds because I was too anxious!
Adriana — I stick my seedlings in my office so that I don’t have to look at them in the “nice” areas of my apartment.
I’ll have to check out the Vermont Compost Fort Vee potting soil you mentioned. If you and Martha use it, it must be good! Where do you get it?
One tip I read online is, one could use egg cartons with a small hole and in each space we can sow seeds and these are bio-degradable, so we can cut each and directly transplant them, no mess
Sarada — I like that one. Although I would imagine you’d need to transplant the seedlings relatively soon after they sprout as each egg cup is pretty small.
Awesome, tips, thank you Fern! I’m a bit seed-challenged as us landscapers generally start with one-gallon plants or larger – or for veggies at LEAST a six-pack size, preferably a jumbo or 4″ to reduce deaths.
But I want to start my own seeds this year for my own garden (and to start some seeds for one client with a large veggie area), so I appreciate the tips! I do have a grow light from raising my baby chickens last year, so perhaps I’ll try that. My greenhouse is still rather cold.
I’ll be starting mine this year for the first time. Well…not actually. I started some in the fall just to see how it would go. It went great.
A lot of mine will be used for container gardening as well as some for the backyard.
I’m using a plastic seed starter kit with a transparent cover that creates a mini greenhouse. Some of the seedlings have sprouted and are pushing on the cover. Others are still small and yet others have yet to appear.
Question: Do I remove and replant the larger ones in other containers? Or just remove the lid and try to keep them watered?
Thx!
Bob–I would take the cover off of the seedlings that are touching the cover. But they probably don’t need to be transplanted yet. I would wait until you can see roots poking out of the drainage holes.
the onley bad thing about planting from seeds is that they dont look nice in a small flat in all those containers, I always try to use some funky looking children’s toys where I can seed the flowers for the balcony
I have grown my plants for a couple of years but I do not get the strong, healthy plants like you see in the garden centers. I think I must not be feeding them the correct nutrients. Someone suggested B9 but when I tried to purchase it in Lowe’s they said it had been pulled from the shelves. The fruit is good but a lot later maturing. I have many plants up an inch or two and they are very spinley.
Caroline–It sounds like your plants may not be getting enough light. You need a light bulb that is at least 30ish watts and the plants need to be extremely close to it. I’m talking inches away or even closer. They should get 14+ hours of light per day.
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