When spring rolls around after a long winter, you don't want to waste a minute of that glorious warmer weather to get growing! Starting seeds indoors is a time-honored way to get a jump on the season. With a few dollars-worth of seeds, you can grow lots of plants very inexpensively. Starting your own seeds also allows you to try out unusual and interesting varieties that you can't find at a local garden center. Here's what you need to know to successfully start seeds indoors for planting in your garden once temperatures warm up.
Easy Seeds to Start Indoors
If it's your first time starting seeds indoors in winter, it's best to go small. Pick just one or two types that are easy to grow from seed like these favorite flowering annuals:
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Marigolds
Many of us have memories of these jaunty flowers in our grandma's or mom's garden. There are loads of colorful varieties, including ones you might not find in garden centers so growing your own from seed is your best bet.
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Cosmos
These cheery flowers come in delicate pastel shades as well as vibrant orange, yellow, and pink.
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Morning Glories
These climbing vines look stunning growing on a fence where they will produce a profusion of blooms all summer. Flower colors come in shades of blue, purple, red, pink, white, and bi-colors.
Morning glories are considered invasive in certain parts of the country, so check before growing.
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Nasturtiums
Grow them, eat them: This edible flowering plant grows vigorously and comes in lots of colors.
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Sunflowers
There's so much to love about big, cheery sunflowers. Bonus: Birds and bees love them, too.
Test Garden Tip: Look on the seed package label to find the number of weeks you're supposed to start seeds indoors before the average last frost date. It usually takes about six to eight weeks to give your seedlings a head start on spring, so count backward from your area's frost date to figure out when you should start your seeds indoors.
Container Options
Plastic seed trays and seed-starter kits are super easy for growing seeds indoors. But you can dig through your recycling bin, too. Just remember to punch a drainage hole in each container before planting. Cardboard egg cartons work well, but you can also repurpose items such as clean, cut-down milk jugs and yogurt cups. Or, you can make your own seed starter pots from newspaper.
Build a DIY Seed-Starting Station to Begin Your Garden Indoors
How to Start Seeds Indoors
Even though the planting instructions on the packet might vary, you'll need the same supplies to start any seeds indoors. Here's what you'll need:
- Seed-starting pots with drainage holes (or DIY seed starting pots)
- Seed-starting mix
- Labels
The 11 Best Seed-Starting Soil Mixes of 2024
1. Fill up the pots.
Fill pots with fresh, moistened seed-starting mix. Don't use garden soil, which is too heavy and may have insects or diseases in it. Leave about a half-inch of room to the top.
2. Sow seeds.
Follow the seed packet instructions for planting. Some will suggest making a shallow hole in the center of the potting mix to put the seeds in and others will say to add seed right on the surface. Add one seed to each pot or cell. Use the crease of the seed packet or place seeds in a creased piece of paper to help direct the seeds where you want them to go.
Sometimes not every seed will germinate. To increase your chances of success, add 2-3 seeds to each pot and thin out the extras once everything has sprouted.
3. Add water.
Once you've sown the seeds, mist each container enough so that the potting mix is damp, but not drenched with water. The water will also help the potting mix settle around the seeds.
4. Label and cover.
Label each of your pots so you know what's growing in them. Loosely cover the pots with clear plastic wrap or zip-top bag, which helps maintain humidity and warmth.
5. Keep pots warm and watered.
Place your seed pots in a location that's warm and free of drafts, but not in direct sun. The top of a refrigerator works well because it's out of the way and it gives off just enough heat around it to help the seeds grow. The ideal temperature is about 75°F but no hotter than 90°F. Once the tiny seedlings emerge, remove the cover and move them into a sunny window. They need about 12 hours of light a day, so supplement with grow lights as necessary.
Caring for Seedlings Indoors
You started your seeds. Their first leaves are poking up in the pots. What do you do next?
1. Give them some air.
After seeds have sprouted, take off the plastic wrap or other covering so they can have room to grow.
2. Thin the seedlings.
As the seedlings make their presence known, they need their space. Keep the ones that look healthy and strong, and snip the rest so there's just a single plant per pot.
3. How to repot seedlings.
After they're about two inches tall and have a couple sets of leaves, your seedlings need an upgrade. Transplant them into larger containers, this time in regular potting mix instead of seed-starting mix.
4. Mist seedlings.
Don't let the seedlings dry out. Misting them is the best way to give them a drink. Don't put them under a faucet or hose, because the water pressure can wash them right out of their containers.
5. Harden off seedlings.
Before you can move your seedlings out into the garden (keeping your frost-free date in mind), you need to give them a few days to slowly get used to life on the outside. That's what's known as hardening off your plants. To do this, place the seedlings outside for a short time in a protected spot (about an hour or two). Each day, increase the length of time you leave them outside until they can remain outdoors all day.
Starting seeds indoors will let you have a lush, beautiful garden for a fraction of the price of picking up new plants at your local garden center. After the last frost of the season has passed, your seedlings should be ready to go out into the garden. If you're successful, you'll soon have healthy, towering plants that look nothing like the tiny seeds they came from.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes leggy seedlings?
Not enough light can result in spindly, stretched out seedlings (like the pea seedlings shown above) that are desperately trying to find more brightness.
Use a grow light or move your plants into a better lit spot.
Why do seedlings suddenly wilt even with plenty of water?
Wilting seedlings might be a sign of damping off, which is caused by a fungus that sometimes appears because of overwatering or overcrowding. Make sure you use fresh seed-starting mix that has been sterilized to kill any fungi or bacteria.
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Starting Seeds Indoors
Starting seeds indoors is a popular method to get a head start on the gardening season. It allows you to grow a variety of plants inexpensively and try out unique varieties that may not be available at local garden centers. By starting seeds indoors, you can take advantage of the warmer weather in spring and have healthy seedlings ready for planting in your garden.
Easy Seeds to Start Indoors
If you're new to starting seeds indoors, it's best to begin with easy-to-grow plants. The article suggests several favorite flowering annuals that are suitable for starting seeds indoors:
- Marigolds: Marigolds come in various colorful varieties and are easy to grow from seed. They can add a vibrant touch to your garden.
- Cosmos: These cheery flowers come in delicate pastel shades as well as vibrant orange, yellow, and pink.
- Morning Glories: Morning glories are climbing vines that produce a profusion of blooms in shades of blue, purple, red, pink, white, and bi-colors. However, they can be considered invasive in certain areas, so it's important to check before growing them.
- Nasturtiums: Nasturtiums are edible flowering plants that grow vigorously and come in various colors.
- Sunflowers: Sunflowers are known for their big, cheery blooms and are loved by birds and bees.
Container Options
When starting seeds indoors, you have various container options. Plastic seed trays and seed-starter kits are commonly used and are easy to find. However, you can also repurpose items from your recycling bin, such as cardboard egg cartons, clean cut-down milk jugs, yogurt cups, or even make your own seed starter pots from newspaper. It's important to ensure that each container has a drainage hole before planting to prevent waterlogging.
How to Start Seeds Indoors
To start seeds indoors, you'll need a few supplies:
- Seed-starting pots with drainage holes (or DIY seed starting pots)
- Seed-starting mix
- Labels
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to start seeds indoors:
- Fill up the pots with fresh, moistened seed-starting mix, leaving about a half-inch of room at the top.
- Follow the seed packet instructions for planting. Some seeds may require a shallow hole in the center of the potting mix, while others can be placed on the surface.
- Mist each container enough to dampen the potting mix without drenching it.
- Label each pot to keep track of what's growing in them.
- Loosely cover the pots with clear plastic wrap or a zip-top bag to maintain humidity and warmth.
- Place the seed pots in a warm location free of drafts, but not in direct sunlight. The ideal temperature is around 75°F (24°C), but no hotter than 90°F (32°C).
- Once the seedlings emerge, remove the cover and move them into a sunny window. They need about 12 hours of light a day, so supplement with grow lights if necessary.
Caring for Seedlings Indoors
After the seedlings have sprouted, there are a few important steps to care for them:
- Remove the plastic wrap or covering to give the seedlings room to grow.
- Thin the seedlings by keeping the healthy and strong ones and snipping off the rest, leaving only one plant per pot.
- When the seedlings are about two inches tall and have a couple of sets of leaves, transplant them into larger containers using regular potting mix.
- Mist the seedlings to keep them hydrated, avoiding direct pressure from a faucet or hose.
- Before moving the seedlings outdoors, gradually acclimate them to the outdoor conditions by placing them outside for short periods each day. Increase the time gradually until they can remain outdoors all day.
Starting seeds indoors can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to have a lush garden. By following these steps, you can enjoy healthy, towering plants that will thrive in your garden.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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What causes leggy seedlings? Leggy seedlings, which are spindly and stretched out, can be caused by insufficient light. When seedlings don't receive enough light, they grow tall and weak in an attempt to find more brightness. To prevent leggy seedlings, provide adequate light by using a grow light or placing the plants in a well-lit spot.
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Why do seedlings suddenly wilt even with plenty of water? Wilting seedlings can be a sign of damping off, which is caused by a fungus. Damping off can occur due to overwatering or overcrowding of seedlings. To prevent damping off, use fresh seed-starting mix that has been sterilized to eliminate any fungi or bacteria.
I hope this information helps you successfully start seeds indoors and enjoy a bountiful garden! Let me know if you have any more questions.