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How to Successfully Start Seeds Indoors

Author Bio

Emma Gallagher is a Brit living in North Carolina. She grows organic gardens and... Read More

When you read an article about how to start this or that plant from seed, you often read ‘start your seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date’. But what does that actually mean? And, how do I keep my seedlings happy and healthy indoors?

If you want to get a head start this spring, check out these tips for growing strong and healthy little seedlings ready to be planted out once the cold weather has waved goodbye.

Why Should I Start Seeds Indoors?

Source: GrowVeg/YouTube

Many seeds can be given a head start by starting them indoors. There, they have a chance to germinate and grow into little seedlings ready to be planted out when the outside temperatures become warm enough.

By starting seeds indoors you give your transplanted seedlings the chance to really get rooted quickly and start working on growing those flower heads ready for your harvest. It will also give them an extended growing season.

What Do I Need to Start Seeds Indoors?

seeds– not all seeds are suitable for starting indoors. Many root vegetables, for example, do not enjoy being transplanted, so direct outdoor sowing is required. Check seeds packed for individual recommendations.
seedling start trays or individual seed pots– often nurseries have seedling starting trays that you can reuse. There are also some fun ways to make seedling pots from newspaper or toilet roll tubes.
large trays– these act as catchments for any water drainage and make it easier to move your pots around. A cookie sheet works quite well.
seed-starting soil- ideally seeds should be started in organic, sterile seed-starting soil. This means that there aren’t any dormant seeds in the soil waiting to germinate and outdo your seeds. As well, if you are new to gardening or growing seeds you haven’t grown before, it would be very difficult to know if you are nurturing the seedling you wanted to grow or an imposter.
spray bottle- newly sown seeds can be easily dislodged by a big glug of water. Similarly, delicate little seedlings don’t take kindly to deluges. A spray bottle set to mist is the best way to keep your soil moist and the little plants humid.
labels and marker pen– this can be a small slip of card, a lollypop stick, or anything that you can write the name of the seed and date.

What About Heat Pads and Grow Lights?

Certain seeds are started indoors because they simply won’t germinate until soil temperatures are consistently warm enough. Starting them indoors is a way to simulate outdoor springtime conditions.

That is to say, your seeds need to be kept warm to germinate, and your newly sprouted seedlings need warmth and adequate sunlight to get strong enough to be planted outdoors.

Those who don’t have sunny windowsills or space to house trays of seedlings in their home might opt for heating pads to keep the seedling pots warm and grow lights to simulate sunlight. These things can be pricy, however. So, if you are on a budget and think that you have the perfect spot in your house to tend your seedlings, you can forgo buying these products.

How Can I Find Out My Last Frost Date?

Typing your zip code into an almanac will give you the estimated last frost date for your area. This is only a rough guide but is what is used by many gardeners to help with planning sowing dates.

How Do I Start Seeds Indoors?

Source: Gary Pilarchik (The Rusted Garden)/YouTube

The seed packets tell you if starting your seeds indoors is needed, and they will tell you how many weeks before the last frost date you will need to do this. It is usually somewhere between 6-10 weeks.

First of all, put your soil into a large container and dampen it with water. It shouldn’t be sodden, but it will be easier to work with pre-moistened. Make sure that your soil does not dry out throughout the whole growing process. Use a misting spray bottle.

Next, fill your seedling pots with the soil and put them onto a drip catchment tray. label each pot or row of pots with the seed name and the date.

Then, sow your seeds according to the instructions on the packets. Unless you have seeds that need light to germinate, you can keep your seed trays in a warm spot in your house to germinate—maybe near an appliance that gives off heat or just in a warm room. There needs to be a consistent temperature of between 65-70°F.

Once the seedlings have germinated, you have to move them to a windowsill that gets full sun and is still kept warm. You can rotate the trays to stop the seedlings from constantly reaching in one direction. This will help them to build stronger stems and stop them from getting leggy.

If temperatures are warm enough during the day, you can always put them outside for some direct sunlight. Just remember to bring them back indoors at night or after the temperature has dropped.

When Can I Plant My Seedlings Out?

Once the last frost has well and truly passed, soil temperatures have reached above 65° F and nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50°F, you can plant your seedlings out. Make sure that they have at least two sets of adult leaves before sending them out to the garden.

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