How do I start seeds in my house?

Author: Leonora Watsica  |  Last update: Friday, January 12, 2024

How to Start Seeds Indoors in 4 Easy Steps
  1. Fill a large bowl with seed-starting mix and mix in a little water to evenly moisten the soil. ...
  2. Place your seed tray inside the drip tray and fill each cell to just below the top with soil.
  3. Sow your seeds. ...
  4. Cover the tray and place it under your lights on the heat mat.

How do you start seeds indoors?

Instructions
  1. Gather your seed starting supplies. ...
  2. Fill your pots or trays with seed starting mix. ...
  3. Sow your seeds. ...
  4. Label your newly planted seeds. ...
  5. Keep your seeds moist and warm. ...
  6. Give your new seedlings light. ...
  7. Moving day! ...
  8. Harden off those seedlings.

What equipment do I need to start seeds indoors?

These aren't necessarily required, but will help to make things a whole lot easier for you.
  1. HEAT MAT. Adding bottom heat under your trays will speed up germination, and also keep your seedlings toasty warm. ...
  2. SPRAY BOTTLE. ...
  3. HUMIDIFIER. ...
  4. INDOOR HUMIDITY MONITOR. ...
  5. SOIL MOISTURE GAUGE. ...
  6. TABLE-TOP POTTING TRAY. ...
  7. MINI GREENHOUSE.

Where is the best place to start seeds indoors?

Place the seeds in a warm location.

Check the seed packets to understand the ideal soil temperature for each plant. Then place the seed tray in front of a windowsill that receives partial sun, or place the seed kits on a heating mat to maintain an even temperature and light. South-facing windows generally work well.

How many hours of light do you need to start seeds indoors?

The most important thing to consider and deliver is adequate plant light. Seedlings need more light than full grown plants, ideally as much as 16-18 hours a day. Additional light may be required for seeds started during the winter months.

STARTING SEEDS INDOORS & What Works EVERY Time!

Do I really need a grow light to start seeds?

In order to grow strong, healthy seedlings, it's super important to provide the proper lighting for them right from the start. What is this? That being said, you don't absolutely need indoor seed starting lights if you have a sunny windowsill, porch, or another space filled with natural sunlight.

Should you soak seeds before planting indoors?

By soaking the seed, it enables the new growth from the inside to push through the hard shell and grow. The seeds that could benefit from a good soaking include: corn, pumpkin, beans, chard, beets, and peas. The seeds you shouldn't soak include: carrots, lettuce, radish, celery, turnips, and spinach.

Is it worth starting seeds indoors?

Starting seeds indoors allows you to gain a few precious weeks of growing time, which can really make a difference. In warmer regions, starting seeds indoors can allow you to get in an extra round of crops (especially cool-season crops) before summer heat stifles growth.

How do you start seeds indoors cheaply?

Newspaper Seed-Starter Pots

Fold the newspaper strips up and around the outside of a small glass to make a miniature pot, then remove the glass, add soil and seeds. Keep the paper pots in a tray near a sunny window until it's warm enough to plant outside.

How often should you water seeds?

Until seeds have sprouted, keep the seed bed moist, never allowing it to dry out. Water with a fine-spray hose nozzle or watering can which will provide a fine misty spray and not wash away the soil. Water often enough (usually about once a day) so that the soil surface never dries out, but remains constantly moist.

What time of year should I start seeds indoors?

When should you start seeds indoors? Start seeds six to eight weeks before the last frost in your area. 2 Most plants are ready to go outside four to six weeks after you start the seeds.

Is it better to germinate seeds in paper towels or soil?

Many seeds germinate much quicker in paper towels (versus seeds that are started in soil). The heat, moisture, and controlled conditions inside a plastic baggie help them germinate in only a few days (or less, depending on the seed).

Can egg cartons be used to start seeds?

You can use egg cartons as a seed-starting tray! Depending on the type of carton you have, you can even cut apart the individual sections and plant them, as the carton will biodegrade. Be sure to poke small holes for drainage, and put the cartons on a tray or in a shallow pan to catch any residual water.

Can you start seeds in potting soil?

On the other hand, if you don't want to mess with repotting seedlings and just want to plant the seeds in their permanent container, you can start your seeds in a good potting mix that'll continue to help them grow sturdy and strong.

Which seeds should not be started indoors?

11 Plants You Should Never Start Indoors
  1. Maximize Gardening Efficiency. 1/12. Starting plants indoors allows gardeners to get a significant jump on the growing season. ...
  2. Carrots. 2/12. Never bother starting carrots indoors. ...
  3. Beets. 3/12. ...
  4. Squash. 4/12. ...
  5. Zinnias. 5/12. ...
  6. Radishes. 6/12. ...
  7. Turnips. 7/12. ...
  8. Dill. 8/12.

Do you water seeds after planting indoors?

You won't have to water after they are planted, preventing seed movement. Create a mini greenhouse by covering the seed tray with a plastic tray or plastic wrap. This will keep the moisture and warmth inside, and you shouldn't have to water again till after the seeds have germinated.

What vegetables should you not start from seed?

Vegetable garden planning: what doesn't start from seeds
  • Potatoes. We talk about “seed potatoes,” but in fact potatoes are nearly always vegetatively propagated: clones of their parents. ...
  • Sweet Potatoes. ...
  • Onions. ...
  • Leeks. ...
  • Garlic and Shallots. ...
  • Asparagus. ...
  • Other crops.

What not to do when germinating seeds?

Seeds need to be moderately moist to sprout. Seed germination is highly dependent on watering. Too dry and they won't get the message to sprout, too wet and they will rot in the dirt.

How many seeds do you put in one hole?

Like most things in gardening, there are always exceptions to this rule of 2-3 seeds per hole. If you're planting large seeds like cucumbers, melons, or pumpkins, you should only use one seed per hole. However, you can still plant seeds close together and then thin them out once they've established themselves.

What happens if you don't soak seeds?

Although seeds can germinate without soaking, it does greatly increase germination rates (depending on the plant). If you want more reliable results, this extra step is well worth the effort.

Will seeds germinate under LED light?

For many years, fluorescent shop lights were the go-to seed starting bulbs for gardeners, but LEDs have quickly replaced them as the standard choice. LEDs are usually more expensive than fluorescent bulbs, but they are very energy-efficient and long-lasting.

Do seeds need sun before they sprout?

Light is not necessary for a seed to germinate, no. The majority of seeds grow most effectively in the dark. Light, which is essential for seedling growth, may actually hinder the germination process. The three primary and necessary conditions for a seed to germinate are water, oxygen, and temperature.

What kind of grow light do I need to start seeds?

Sowing seeds indoors under fluorescent lights is the easiest way for the home gardener to control growing conditions and grow healthy transplants. Incandescent bulbs give off more heat and less light (mostly red) than fluorescent tubes and will not produce good transplants by themselves.

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