Once you’ve decided to start some of your seeds indoors, you’ll want to get together a plan for what comes next. In this getting started guide for starting seeds indoors, we'll cover:
- Planning
- Choosing your growing medium and soil
- Sowing seeds
- Watering tips
- Lighting tips
- Labeling
- Fertilizer - How and when to use
- Potting up
Tips for Starting Seeds Indoors
Planning
Planning is always your first step. Do you have a good space to start your seeds indoors? Some people have an extra room that they can dedicate to their new plants inside, while others start theirs out in a shed outside or in the garage. Make sure you’ve got plenty of room for your seeds and that you can keep them warm and sheltered. Consider how many outlets you’ll need for grow lights and heating pads, and how often you’ll be able to check on your plants.
Choose your growing medium & soil
Your seeds need a growing medium with a fine and loose texture that drains well.
Do not be tempted to reuse potting medium or to use soil from outside.
The indoor sprouting environment is also perfect for fungi and other diseases to flourish. Using a fresh soilless medium that you mix yourself or buy prepared ahead of time is easy and protects your seedlings from this danger.
You’ll also want to make sure your containers are sterilized if you’re reusing them for the same reasons.
Make Your Own Seed Starting Mix
Preparing your growing medium and sowing seeds
Moisten your chosen growing medium and fill your containers evenly. If using a flat, creating rows can keep the seedlings organized.
Plants that need to be planted more deeply will benefit from being grown in individual containers or cells.
Sow your seeds spaced out uniformly according to the instructions on your packages. Different seeds have different depth requirements, so make sure you give each seed the individualized attention it deserves.
Choose Reliable Heirloom Seeds
Watering tips
Water your seeds by misting them gently. A bottom watering system can be a useful way to keep the growing medium moist without washing the seeds away.
Whatever system you choose, make sure your seeds and soil are watered evenly and never fully saturated or waterlogged.
Place a humidity dome over your seeds to keep them appropriately moist for longer. Never place domed plants in direct sunlight. Keep an eye on your seeds and pull that dome off once they’ve sprouted to prevent damping off. Water according to the needs of each seed.
Lighting tips
Provide your seeds with the light and warmth they need to germinate properly. Heating mats and grow lights give your plants a head start on the growing season. Different seeds have different heat requirements, so make sure you take the time to make sure each heating pad is set to the right temperature for optimum germination.
Label your seeds
Don't forget to label each container so you know what you’re growing. Note plant variety and date planted on labels. Using the seed packets can help you to remember the needs of each plant in case you forget.
You’ll also want to date your seeds so you remember when you planted them. This will help you keep an eye on germination and make sure that everything is on track.
Give your young plants fertilizer
After seeds have germinated, they will need some fertilizer. Soilless mediums typically are devoid of any nutrients for the young seeds. Young tender seedlings can easily be damaged by too much fertilizer, so be careful.
Use half-strength fertilizer a few days after germination and watch your plants. After they are more established, you can follow the recommended schedule of your chosen fertilizer.
Pot up as needed
As your seedlings grow, you may have to “pot them up” or move them to a bigger container to give them more room to grow even before they’re ready to move outside. A larger container will allow the plant’s roots more room to grow without becoming rootbound or drying out.
How often you have to pot up depends on the size container you originally planted your seeds in, the type of plant, and how fast it grows.
Enjoy watching your seedlings grow from tiny seeds to thriving plants. As they grow, thin out your seeds as needed to give the strongest plants more room. It won’t be long until you’re hardening them off to move outside for the next stage in their life cycle!
Written by Teresa Chandler
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I am an expert and enthusiast assistant. I have access to a wide range of information and can provide insights on various topics. I can help you with your question about starting seeds indoors.
Planning
When starting seeds indoors, it's important to have a plan in place. Consider the following factors:
- Space: Determine if you have enough space indoors to accommodate your seeds. This could be an extra room, a shed, or a garage.
- Temperature: Ensure that the space you choose can be kept warm and sheltered for the seeds.
- Outlets: Take into account the number of outlets you'll need for grow lights and heating pads.
- Availability: Consider how often you'll be able to check on your plants.
Choosing your growing medium and soil
Selecting the right growing medium and soil is crucial for the success of your seeds. Here are some tips:
- Texture: Use a growing medium with a fine and loose texture that drains well.
- Avoid reusing potting medium: Do not be tempted to reuse potting medium or use soil from outside, as it may introduce fungi and diseases to your seedlings.
- Sterilize containers: If you're reusing containers, make sure to sterilize them to prevent the spread of diseases.
Sowing seeds
Properly sowing your seeds is essential for their growth. Follow these steps:
- Moisten the growing medium: Before sowing the seeds, moisten the chosen growing medium.
- Evenly fill containers: Fill your containers evenly with the moistened growing medium. If using a flat, creating rows can help keep the seedlings organized.
- Spacing: Sow your seeds uniformly according to the instructions on the seed packages. Different seeds have different depth requirements, so give each seed the attention it deserves.
Watering tips
Watering your seeds correctly is crucial for their development. Consider the following tips:
- Misting: Water your seeds by misting them gently. This helps keep the growing medium moist without washing the seeds away.
- Bottom watering: Consider using a bottom watering system to keep the growing medium evenly moist.
- Humidity dome: Place a humidity dome over your seeds to maintain appropriate moisture levels. However, avoid placing domed plants in direct sunlight.
- Water according to needs: Water your seeds according to the specific needs of each seed.
Lighting tips
Providing adequate light is essential for seed germination. Consider the following tips:
- Heating mats and grow lights: Use heating mats and grow lights to provide the necessary light and warmth for proper germination.
- Temperature requirements: Different seeds have different heat requirements, so ensure that each heating pad is set to the right temperature for optimum germination.
Labeling
Labeling your containers is important for keeping track of your seeds. Here's what you should do:
- Plant variety and date: Label each container with the plant variety and the date planted. This will help you remember the needs of each plant and track their progress.
Fertilizer - How and when to use
After germination, your seedlings will require fertilizer. Here are some tips:
- Soilless mediums: Soilless mediums typically lack nutrients, so provide half-strength fertilizer a few days after germination.
- Careful application: Be cautious not to over-fertilize, as young seedlings can be easily damaged. Watch your plants closely and adjust the fertilizer application as needed.
- Follow recommended schedule: Once the seedlings are more established, follow the recommended schedule of your chosen fertilizer.
Potting up
As your seedlings grow, you may need to transfer them to larger containers. Here's what you should know:
- Container size: Pot up your seedlings to give their roots more room to grow without becoming rootbound or drying out.
- Timing: The frequency of potting up depends on the size of the original container, the type of plant, and its growth rate.
- Thinning out: As your seedlings grow, thin out weaker plants to give the stronger ones more room to thrive.
Starting seeds indoors can be a rewarding experience. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of success and enjoy watching your seedlings grow into thriving plants.
