How to Start Seeds Indoors

 Here is my concise guide on how to start your seeds indoors. I have used this technique for 3 years now with great success. 

Step One

Gather your supplies. You will need seed starting soil mix, containers for your seedlings, a tray for holding them, and the seeds. I also recommend labeling your seed starting containers. I use duct tape and a Sharpie! Then pre-wet the soil by bottom watering (see video for an example).

Step Two

Fill your containers halfway with the seed starting mix. Label the seed trays now so you don't confuse them as you place your seeds inside. Plant the seeds according to the recommendations on each packet. Some require less depth and fewer seeds per cell. Cover the planted seeds with some additional soil, as much as should be covered according to the planting instructions. 

Step Three

Mist the newly added soil. Place the tray in a warm spot covered with a moisture dome. In the video here I placed mine on a bookshelf where the temperature was around 74 degrees without a heat mat. Some seeds, like peppers and tomatoes, need warmer temperatures than others. If the area you're using is fairly cool, consider putting a seed starting heat mat underneath your tray.

Step Four 

Bottom water the tray or mist the top of the soil if it dries out. When germination has happened, remove the moisture dome to prevent mold and algae from developing. 

Step Five

Provide the seedlings with enough light. I use both LED and fluorescent grow lights. The fluorescent ones seem to work better, but use what you have available. A sunny windowsill can work suitably. Wait until the seedlings have developed 2-3 sets of true leaves before topping or potting them up.

Step Six

As seedlings grow they will require additional soil and space to grow. If you are using containers with big enough cells, you can add more soil before having to transplant the seedlings to larger pots. At this point, use a potting mix instead of the seed starting mix as it will provide needed nutrients. As the weeks progress, pot up the seedlings as they get larger. They can be moved outside after the danger of frost has passed. You can also utilize mini greenhouses to get those babies out into the sun earlier. 

In the next post I'll be sharing more info about potting up your seedlings!

Thanks for reading! I'm looking forward to sharing more videos and posts with you in the future.