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Starting Seeds InsideStarting seeds inside have proven the best of times and the worst of times for me. I've tried it twice with tomatoes. The first time was when I lived in South Dakota. I grew the seeds in a north-facing window. I bought a starter kit and grew my seeds in an indoor window. I ended up with 60 healthy tomato plants and bore lots of tomatoes. It was a great experience.Then in Oklahoma I tried starting seeds inside again, this time using our greenhouse window. The seeds again grew, but they developed purple leaves and were sickly looking. I eventually put them in my garden, but they never amounted to anything, so I sheepishly went out and bought tomato plants to take their place. Our local farmer’s supply place had them at an excellent price, and I swore I would never start tomatoes from seeds again. I realize now that my greenhouse window was too cold, so this year I am going to start my seeds on a counter in my kitchen under a fluorescent light. 
While I don’t plan on growing tomatoes from seeds, I’m not opposed to trying other things, and plant to start broccoli and maybe some flowers from seeds.
I have always wanted to grow stocks in particular. They were in my wedding bouquet and I have always had an emotional attachment to them. Unfortunately, they have a hard time surviving our hot summers, so I plan to keep a pot on our back porch. What I have learned about starting seeds inside, is you need four crucial things to start seeds successfully indoors: light, warmth, good soil and good seeds. LightThis is probably the most critical factor when starting seeds inside. Sufficient light will make the difference between success or having to visit the local greenhouse. Your seedlings will need 12 to 14 hours of direct light each day. If not, then they’ll likely be tall and spindly. Not only should your babies have access to light, it should be an intense light, no more than three to four inches away from your plant. So if necessary, set your pots on boxes to get them closer. As they grow, you can remove the boxes so they don’t touch the light.Good SoilI prefer starting seeds inside in jiffy pots. Both the greenhouse and pellets are available online. Once the seeds are up and have put on four leaves, then transfer them to individual pots. Any container will do as long as it can hold moisture and is strong enough to hold wet potting mix. Clean, empty yogurt, cottage cheese or sour cream containers are good, as well as milk cartons. You will need to drill a hole in the bottom to allow for drainage. Without drainage, your poor plants will be oxygen deprived and eventually rot.For potting soil, many people recommend soil-less seed-starting mix when starting seeds inside because it’s sterile, and your plants aren’t as likely to get disease, but it is also expensive. Also, it tends to dry out quickly. Instead, you are better off mixing in some compost with your starter mix. That way you produce healthier plants, your pots will hold in the moisture and you cut down on costs. WarmthYou need to keep the seedlings in a temperature range between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit when starting seeds inside. If it’s too warm, your seedlings won’t be as strong.
Good SeedsAnd obviously, you need seeds that are viable. If you are using seeds from last year, and you’re not sure if they are still good, set a few seeds between two moist paper towels. If the seeds sprout within a few days, plant the germinated seeds. Discard any seeds that don’t sprout.When to StartWhen to start them will depend on the type of seeds you are working with. The directions on the back of the package should tell you a good time to plant seeds indoors for your area. Here in the lower Midwest, we can put our tomatoes out in the middle of April, a month ahead of folks up north, so if I were starting tomatoes indoors here in the sunny sooner state, I would start my seeds in January rather than February.More Homestead Gardening LinksGreat vegetables for beginning gardeners.How to choose the best garden location. Put in raised beds for a stronger, healthier garden. Or better still, try these easier raised beds without digging. How to make your own compost. Mulching tips to strengthen and protect your plants. Organic pest control tips Tips on dealing with poison ivy Tips on organic container gardening Find the right garden container Self sufficient gardening Tips on composting with worms How to build and use a cold frame. |
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