Planting Seeds Indoors for Beginners is rewarding because of the miracle of plant growth, it is inexpensive and very therapeutic.
Planting Seeds Indoors for Beginners Video
There is something very rewarding to planting seeds indoor that are wonder such as fresh cut flowers to a delicious fruits and vegetables all summer long and into the fall season.
Remember planting seeds indoors for beginners cannot be overwhelming. Start small and choose three to five variety of produce that you enjoy or flowers that work well in your zone and are excited about. Learn about the variety of seeds you are growing and after a season you can add more of the same seed or try a new seed to start.
Benefits of Planting Seeds Indoors
1.) Planting seeds indoors gives a opportunity to plant exactly what varieties of plants you want in your garden each season. Experimenting with different seeds including heirlooms makes it fun to learn about tomato varieties. Some tomatoes are nice to snack on and many are great for sauces.
2.) Starting seeds indoors saves ton of money. Yes, it takes time to plant each seed, but the reward is exciting and therapeutic. Many plants at greenhouses can cost almost triple the price of the seed if not more. For Example, a package of organic green peppers of hundreds of seeds could cost less than five dollars and a tray of green pepper plants could cost over ten dollars if not more.
3.) Growing Seeds indoors will provide you with quality plants and harvest. Choosing organic, heirloom provides options for growing seeds that open the doors to great value.
4.) Finally, I love watching the progress of nature when I plant each seed. When my children were little, I love teaching them where food comes from and the beauty of nature in action from seed to plant and then food for our table.
How to Start Planting Seeds Indoors
Starting seeds indoors give you a head start for spring planting. Here where I live the ground is frozen and my last frost dates is not till May. Getting a head start is essential to have a bountiful garden and starting seeds indoors is easier than you think.
1.) First, depending on your zone will determine when you start planting your seeds indoors.
Keep in mind your last frost date and count backwards to determine the start date of planting your seedlings.
My last frost date is usually around Mother’s Day which is the second week in May.
2.) Fill your seed tray with damp seed starting mix, it should have Peralite, Peet, Vermiculite and Sand; should be soil less.
Firmly pat down until it is about seventy five percent filled. Your planting mix should be moist. Your planting mix should be sterile if you are making your own or you can easily purchase a Pro Mix from your garden center.
Create a moist soil by add a bit of warm water. Make sure you have proper drainage with several holes at the bottom of your pot or place stone at the bottom of you pot if there are no holes.
3.) Sprinkle, two to three seeds evenly over the planting mix surface about a third of an inch. Cover with more planting mix and pat down lightly with the back of your fingers. Small seeds do not need as much soil on top as larger sees to need more soil. Label all your seed trays with the variety and date.
Watering Seeds and Seedling for Beginners
4.) Water your seeds completely and until it starts draining from underneath. I use a wonderful spray bottle that is great for watering all your seedlings. Put all your seeds in insert and then in a tray to keep all the water from spilling everywhere.
You do not want puddles you want moist soil. Keep seedlings damp at all times, but not soaking wet! Once Seedlings have sprout water a bit less; keep soil moist but, not damp.
5.) Your seeds will need moisture, cover containers with plastic wrap or any type of plastic covering. When your seedlings sprout and are green you will not need covering anymore. Most seedlings do not need light to germinate but warmth is extremely important.
6.) Make sure your environment is warm at least 65-70 degrees; most seeds like a temperature around seventy degrees.
7.) Once your seeds germinate place sprouts directly by a windowsill that produces a good amount of light or use a controlled light source. This a time to start fertilizing every fourth watering.
Rotate your containers regularly to ensure all your seedlings get the proper lighting.
8.) If you are using fluorescent lamps use a combination of cool white and warm lights. Your lights do need to be a few inches above your plant tips. Your fluorescent lights will need to be turned on for twelve hours a day.
Which Seed Should I Start Indoors?
There are many seeds you can try to grow indoors but, I usually start the longest seeds that take to grow in my zone. Tomatoes and peppers are necessary in my zone because they take a long time to develop fruit or vegetables. Many herbs I start indoors including cut flowers such as zinnias and cosmos.
I never start squash, radishes, sunflowers or beans indoors because if you turn the seed package over you will notice they do not take many days to harvest.
This year I am planting seeds indoors such as tomatoes, peppers, cosmos, zinnias, watermelon, herbs such as rosemary, lavender, parsley and sage.
What you Need to Planting Seeds Indoors for Beginners
- Seeds Packets of vegetables such as peppers, tomatoes, a variety of herbs
- Watering Spray
- Pots, Inserts or containers to start seedlings.
- Labeling Sticks to label your seedlings with the variety and date.
- Trowel or large scoop to put your seed starting mix in our pots
- Soil or Seed Starting Mix containing Permalite, Peet, Vermiculite and Sand
- Plastic Seedling Trays or Containers (these can be recycled) in a variety of sizes
- Plastic Lids or Plastic Wrap
- Fluorescent Shop-Light Fixture
- Freestanding Shelf or Greenhouse
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