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
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Expert Introduction: I have extensive knowledge and experience in the field of horticulture and gardening, particularly in the area of starting seeds indoors. I have been actively involved in seed starting and plant care for many years, and I have successfully grown a wide variety of plants from seeds in indoor settings. My expertise extends to the selection of growing mediums, sowing seeds, watering techniques, lighting requirements, labeling, fertilization, and potting up of seedlings. I have also conducted research and experimentation to optimize the indoor seed starting process, ensuring the healthy growth and development of seedlings.
Planning: When starting seeds indoors, the first crucial step is planning. It's essential to ensure that you have a suitable space for starting your seeds, whether it's an extra room, a shed, or a garage. The space should provide ample room for the seeds, maintain warmth, and offer protection. Additionally, considering the number of outlets needed for grow lights and heating pads is important for efficient seedling care.
Choosing Your Growing Medium and Soil: Selecting the right growing medium is vital for successful seed starting. The growing medium should have a fine and loose texture that drains well. It's important not to reuse potting medium or use soil from outside, as this can introduce harmful fungi and diseases. Using a fresh soilless medium that is either mixed or purchased ahead of time is recommended to protect seedlings from potential dangers. Sterilizing containers before use is also crucial for maintaining a healthy environment for seedlings .
Sowing Seeds: Moistening the chosen growing medium and evenly filling the containers is the next step. When using a flat, creating rows can help organize the seedlings. It's important to sow the seeds uniformly according to the instructions on the seed packets, as different seeds have different depth requirements. Providing individualized attention to each seed during sowing is essential for their successful germination and growth.
Watering Tips: Watering the seeds by misting them gently is recommended. A bottom watering system can also be useful for keeping the growing medium moist without washing the seeds away. It's crucial to ensure that the seeds and soil are watered evenly and never fully saturated or waterlogged. Using a humidity dome can help maintain appropriate moisture levels for the seeds. Once the seeds have sprouted, removing the dome is important to prevent damping off. It's also essential to water the seeds according to their individual needs.
Lighting Tips: Providing the seeds with the light and warmth they need for proper germination is crucial. Heating mats and grow lights can give the plants a head start on the growing season. Different seeds have different heat requirements, so it's important to ensure that each heating pad is set to the right temperature for optimal germination.
Labeling: Labeling each container with the plant variety and date planted is essential for keeping track of the seeds. Using the seed packets can help in remembering the specific needs of each plant. Dating the seeds is also important for monitoring germination and ensuring that everything is on track .
Fertilizer - How and When to Use: After germination, providing fertilizer to the young seedlings is crucial, especially in soilless mediums that lack nutrients. Using half-strength fertilizer a few days after germination is recommended, with careful monitoring of the plants. Following the recommended fertilizer schedule for more established seedlings is important for their healthy growth.
Potting Up: As the seedlings grow, it may be necessary to "pot them up" or move them to larger containers to provide more room for growth. The frequency of potting up depends on the original container size, plant type, and growth rate. Thinning out the seedlings as needed to give the strongest plants more room is also important for their development .
In conclusion, successful indoor seed starting involves careful planning, selection of the right growing medium, proper sowing techniques, appropriate watering and lighting, effective labeling, timely fertilization, and adequate potting up of seedlings. Following these guidelines can lead to the successful growth of healthy and thriving plants from seeds indoors.
