Each jot down of plant has its own particular needs forstarting seeds indoors.
You’ll be eating fruits and vegetables and enjoying flowers in no time!
A simple internet search will tell you the date of the expected last frost in your area.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Before Getting Started
There are many good commercial potting mixes available that are suitable for starting seeds.
Although they may be called “pottingsoil,” they actually contain no garden soil at all.
This ordinary potting mix is fine for starting many seeds.
The Spruce / Heidi Kolsky
Some seedsespecially those that are smallmay do better in what is known as aseed-starting mix.
Seed-starting mix is a special form of soilless potting mix that is especially porous and fine-grained.
It omits the organic materials found in standard potting soil.
The Spruce / Heidi Kolsky
This is because seeds do not require the nutrients provided by organic material to germinate and sprout.
Avoid starting your seeds in outdoor garden soil, which can become compacted.
And outdoor soil often contains weed seeds and disease pathogens that interfere with seeds germinating and sprouting.
The Spruce / Heidi Kolsky
This process helps to achieve a uniform level of moisture.
Dampen the mix to the consistency of a wrung-out sponge.
It should be wet, but not dripping, with no dry lumps.
The Spruce / Heidi Kolsky
Tap the container on the tabletop to help the potting mix settle.
Gently firm the top of the mix with your hand or a small board.
Don’t pack the potting mix tightly into the containeryou want it to remain fluffy and aerated.
The Spruce / Heidi Kolsky
Tip
A seed starting tray is the easiest way tostart seeds indoors for beginnersand expert gardeners.
ensure you read the seed package for special instructions.
Some seeds may require a period ofpre-chillingor soaking.
The Spruce / Heidi Kolsky
Some seeds need complete darkness to germinate and others require light to germinate.
Proper planting depth is usually provided on the seed packet.
Determining depth can be a challenge, but if you are not sure, err on the shallow side.
The Spruce / Danielle Moore
Finish Planting
Cover the seeds with more dampened potting mix and then gently firm again.
Re-check your seed packet for information on how much potting mix should go on top of the seeds.
Generally, the smaller the seeds, the less you oughta cover them.
The Spruce / Heidi Kolsky
Insert the plant labels into the soil near the edge of the container or tray.
Start by covering the trays or containers with clear plastic.
The plastic covering serves to hold in heat and moisture.
The Spruce / Heidi Kolsky
Heating mats go under the potting containers and heat the soil from below.
You will usually need to water more frequently when using heating mats.
In general, seeds will not need light until they emerge.
The Spruce / Danielle Moore
Once your seedlings begin poking through the soil, they will start to straighten up and unfurl.
What looks like two leaves will appear.
This is the point at which you should move your seedlings under a light source.
The Spruce / Heidi Kolsky
Add Light
Seedlings need a lot of light to grow into sturdy, healthy plants.
Chances are that you do not have enough natural light in your home togrow robust seedlings.
Even a south-facing window usually will not do the job.
The Spruce / Danielle Moore
Keep the lights as close to the seedlings as possible without touching them (2 to 3 inches).
When seedlings first appear, keep the lights turned on for 12 to 16 hours per day.
To reduce your hands-on time, use a timer to turn the lights on and off automatically.
The Spruce / Danielle Moore
Keep Seedlings Moist
You must keep the sterile seed-starting medium damp but not wet.
Check soil moisture at least once a day to ensure the soil hasn’t dried out.
Improper conditions can lead todamping off disease, a fungal disease that quickly kills seedlings.
The Spruce / Steven Merkel
Alternatively, you could buy a self-watering,seed-starting system.
This is when your seedling begins actively photosynthesizing.
Use a balanced fertilizer or one high in nitrogen and potassium to encourage good roots and healthy growth.
Excessive fertilizer will overwhelm the seedlings, so use a water-soluble fertilizer diluted to one-half the normal strength.
The seedlings should be lightly fed every two weeks.
This is called “potting up,” and it allows the roots more room to develop.
If more than one seedling is growing in the same cell, cut off all but the strongest seedling.
(This is called “culling.")
Gradually increase the amount of outdoor time, and introduce direct sunlight as they grow accustomed to outdoor conditions.
Water your seedlings well before and after transplanting.
Try not to transplant during the hottest, sunniest part of the day.
Sow 3 to 5 seeds per cell in the seed starting container.
If the seeds are large, just sow 2 to 3.
Ultimately you will be culling the weaker seedlings and will have maximum one per cell.
Beginners should be careful not to get too ambitious.
To do this, gently press the soil medium to create a firm surface.
For the healthiest seedlings, use a grow light to start your seeds.
Using natural window light risks producing long and leggy seedlings with skinny, weak stems.
Watch Now: Mistakes to Avoid When Growing Seeds Indoors
Seedling Care.University of Maryland Extension.
Indoor seed starting 101.
