Every year my fingers start to tingle when the winter is coming to its end. You feel it in the air, spring is coming! The whole winter you’ve been dreaming about your garden for next season and suddenly it is almost there! Well, when that feeling arises you probably should already have started your seeds…
With starting seeds it is important you hit that sweet spot between starting too early and starting seeds too late. Let’s dive into the why, when, and how of starting seeds indoors!
Why Start Seeds Indoors?
You might be thinking, “Why not just buy seedlings at the garden center?” Fair question! But let me tell you why starting seeds indoors is worth the extra effort.
Extending the Growing Season
First, it extends your growing season. By starting your seeds indoors while it’s still cold outside, you’re giving your plants a head start. When the weather warms up and the soil is ready, your seedlings will already be growing strong, and you’ll be that much closer to harvesting fresh veggies.
The Ultimate Controle of What Goes Into Your Garden
Second, you’ll have more control over what goes into your garden. Those seedlings at the store? You don’t know what kind of chemicals or fertilizers they’ve been exposed to.
By starting your seeds, you can control the entire process—from the soil to the watering and even what kind of light they get. Plus, it’s nice to know you’re growing something clean, and chemical-free, especially if you’re feeding your family with its produce.
So Many Varieties to Choose From
And let’s not forget the variety! Garden centers can be pretty limited in their selection. But when you start your own seeds, the possibilities are endless. Want a rare heirloom tomato? You got it. Dreaming of rainbow-colored carrots? No problem. You can grow exactly what you want, without being limited by whatever’s on the shelf.
Lastly, it’s just plain satisfying. There’s something magical about seeing those tiny seeds sprout and knowing you played a part in bringing them to life. It’s a rewarding process that connects you to the garden in a way that buying seedlings just can’t match.
When Should You Start Your Seeds Indoors?
This depends on the type of vegetables and flowers you want to grow in your garden. Some plants will have a longer germination period than others, be sure to check the package or the internet for the perfect period for planting.
What If You Start Too Soon?
If you start too soon your plants can and will encounter several problems.
One of the problems of starting your seeds too soon will be that your seedlings will grow larger and larger (obviously) and will eventually outgrow their small pots. It is still too cold outside to transplant them outside but they grow so big that they need to be transplanted to larger pots. If you wait too long the roots will get tangled up so much that the plants will struggle getting the right nutrients and enough water.
This is called rootbound and simply means the roots of your seedlings didn’t have enough space to properly grow. If your seedlings aren’t transplanted in time this will stunt their growth.
Another problem can be a light deficiency in your plants. When your seedlings don’t get enough (sun)light they will stretch and stretch to get to that tiny bit they do encounter. This stretching will result in so-called leggy seedlings. Leggy seedlings will result in long, weak stems that eventually will have a hard time growing into a strong plant.
And Starting Seeds Too Late?
Well, starting too late is almost impossible. If you started your seeds too late you could also just start your seeds outdoors. This will not have any disadvantages for your plants other than you didn’t actively extend your growing season.
It depends on your climate but when you want to extend the growing season of your vegetable garden then it is a good idea to start your seeds indoors rather than outside directly in the soil. Just be sure to check the package of your seeds to hit that sweet spot between starting seeds too early or too late.
How to Start Your Seeds Indoors
In short, starting seeds is not a lot of work and it has a charm knowing you’ve grown the produce from scratch. Starting seeds is the ultimate beginning of a growing season. Now let’s dive into the beginner’s guide on how to start seeds indoors, so you can start your seeds next year!
What You’ll Need to Get Your Seeds Started
Before we get our hands dirty, let’s see which basic materials you’ll need when starting seeds in your home. Don’t worry, this won’t require any fancy equipment—just a few essentials.
Seeds
Be sure to pick seeds that work for your climate and your garden. Maybe tomatoes, peppers, or herbs like basil—something you’ll actually use! Don’t grow anything you won’t eat, that will only be a waste of precious gardening space. Also, make sure to check the seed packet for planting times.
Tip: Check my post about crop rotation and planning a garden and use my handy Garden Journal to plan your garden for next season!
Containers
You can get seed trays, and small pots, or go the upcycling route. Personally, I love my soil blocker. I bought this tool a few years ago and can use it season after season. You add soil to the blocker and press it into a soil block in which you can plant your seed. Mind, though, you should check the size of the soil block. Some plants like tomatoes need a different size than, for instance, broad beans.
If you don’t have a seed tray you can also reuse items like empty toilet paper rolls, yogurt containers, and such. as long as you have the minimal dimensions that are stated on the seed package.
Soil
Not just any dirt will do. Use a light, fluffy seed-starting mix. Garden soil is too heavy, and your tiny plants will find it difficult to grow.
Labels
Trust me, label everything! It’s all fun and games until you forget whether you planted tomatoes, pumpkins, or marigolds. Popsicle sticks, masking tape, or fancy tags—whatever works for you.
Last year, I was convinced I could identify all my seedlings. I had it all under control until I mistook my broad beans for some exotic mystery flowers. I even transplanted them throughout the garden, thinking I was doing the pollinators a favor. Fast forward a few weeks, and we suddenly had a bumper crop of broad beans growing in our ‘mystery flower’ spots. So much for my plant detective skills!
Light
If you have a sunny windowsill (and don’t have a cat or children that can devastate your seedlings) you’ll be fine. If not, consider growing lights. They don’t have to be super expensive, and they ensure your seedlings won’t grow all spindly and weak.
Watering tools
A spray bottle works great. Your seeds need moisture, but not a full-on deluge. Think gentle misting, do not drown your precious seedlings!
Step-by-Step Guide to Starting Seeds Indoors
Now for the fun part—planting those seeds! Here’s a step-by-step breakdown that even the greenest of thumbs can follow:
1. Choose Your Seeds Wisely
Not all seeds are created equal. Check the seed packets for ideal indoor start times. Most packets of veggies and flowers will let you know how many weeks before your last frost date you should start. (Tip: If you don’t know your area’s last frost date, a quick Google search will sort you out.)
2. Prepare Your Containers or Soil Blocks
First, make sure your containers or soil blocks are big enough for your seedling, then fill your pots or trays with a seed-starting mix. Remember, seedlings like things airy so don’t pack the soil down too much. Give the soil a good misting before planting. It should be damp but not soggy, kind of like a well-wrung sponge.
3. Plant the Seeds
Here’s where you follow the directions on your seed packets. Some seeds need to be barely covered with soil, while others like a bit more depth. A good rule of thumb is to plant seeds at a depth about twice their size. And hey, if you overplant, you can always thin them out later.
4. Provide Plenty of Light
Once your seeds are in the soil, they’re going to need light—and lots of it! If you’re using a windowsill, make sure it’s sunny. Grow lights should be positioned just a few inches above your seedlings. If they start to look leggy, they’re probably not getting enough light.
5. Watering & Humidity
Seedlings like consistent moisture, but overwatering is a surefire way to make your plants unhappy (and potentially dead). Keep the soil damp, not soaked.
Covering your trays with plastic wrap or a humidity dome until the seeds germinate can help keep moisture in. Just remember to uncover them once they sprout!
Don’t worry if you see a spot with fungi in the soil of your seedling. This most likely won’t hurt your seedling, just decrease the amount of water and your plants will be fine!
6. Transplanting Seedlings
As your seedlings grow, you might need to transplant them into bigger containers before they’re ready to go outside. This is especially true for fast-growing plants like zucchini.
Common Seed-Starting Problems (And How to Fix Them)
Let’s face it, not everything always goes as planned. I once forgot to label my plants, overwatered a few, and put my precious seedlings in a spot where my cat demolished them.
Here are a few problems you may encounter—and how to fix them before you start to panic:
- Leggy Seedlings: If your seedlings look like they’re stretching out for the sun, they’re not getting enough light. Solution? Move them closer to your light source or add more hours of light per day.
- Damping-Off: This is when seedlings suddenly keel over at the base and die. It’s caused by fungi that thrive in too-wet conditions. Avoid overwatering, and make sure your containers have good airflow.
- No Germination: If nothing’s happening, double-check the seed packet for ideal conditions. Some seeds need more warmth, so you might need to move them to a warmer spot or use a heat mat.
When & How to Move Your Seedlings Outdoors
So your seedlings are thriving, and you’re starting to feel like a proud plant parent. Don’t rush things just yet! Before you can plant them outside, you’ll need to harden them off— this basically means, get them used to the big bad world beyond your windowsill.
Timing the Move
Wait until your seedlings have a few sets of true leaves (the second set, not the baby ones) and the outdoor temperature is warming up. Check your last frost date and wait until it’s safe to transplant.
Hardening Your Seedlings Off
This is the process of gradually introducing your plants to the outdoors. Start by placing them outside in a sheltered spot for a couple of hours a day, gradually increasing their time outside over a few days to a week.
Transplanting Your Seedlings
When you’re finally ready to plant your seedlings in the garden, pick a cool, overcast day if possible. Avoid the blazing midday sun—your seedlings will thank you. Dig a hole, carefully remove the plant from its pot, and plop it in. Firm the soil around the base, water them in, and sit back knowing you’ve just raised a seedling into a full-fledged plant.
Don’t freak out if your seedlings look a bit sad the first hours after transplanting. They will be fine after they’ve settled into their new spot!
Starting seeds indoors is like the first chapter of your gardening season. It’s the moment when your garden plan starts to take shape. Sure, there’s a bit of work involved, but the reward is a garden full of plants you nurtured from the very start. Plus, you get to brag to your friends about how you grew everything from scratch.
So, next time when that spring itch hits and your fingers start to tingle, you’ll already be on your way with thriving seedlings on your windowsill. At the end of winter, grab those seed packets (check out my FREE printable seed packets here!), gather your supplies, and start planting!
