Starting seeds indoors is a great (and inexpensive) way to fill you garden. It can often feel like an overwhelming project to start, especially for the new gardener, but take heart as it is not too difficult to get the basics down.
The first thing you will need to do is decide what to plant. If this is your first time sowing seeds a good plant to try is marigolds: they germinate quickly and are not too picky about their conditions. Once you have decided which plants you would like to plant then it is time stop by a Garden Centre and choose your seeds. Be sure to take the time to read the seed packets as they contain a lot of important information. The key things to look for are the planting date (often listed as how many weeks before the last frost) and if you are growing vegetables the days to maturity. Our planting season in Thunder Bay is short so it is best to stick to varieties that mature between 60 to 75 days. One of the most common mistakes made with seeds is starting them too early. While it may seem like a good idea to get a head start your plants may become leggy or spindly, leading to weaker plants.
There are often many varieties of the same plant available in seeds and this can also be confusing and overwhelming to even the most seasoned gardener. If you aren’t sure which variety of a plant to grow ask at the Garden Centre if there is one they recommend. One of the fun things about seeds is there are often many unique varieties of plants that aren’t available later as seedlings. Try a new variety, or even a new plant every year and see what works for you, or see if a neighbour or family member wants to swap a few seeds of another variety and you can decide at the end of the season which you like better.
Starting seeds indoors is a great family project! Take the whole family to the garden centre and have everyone pick their own seeds to plant. You can even make it into a fun experiment and log which seeds sprouted first, then measure them weekly throughout the season to see which plants thrive in our area. This website has some neat experiments to try: http://www.kidzone.ws/science/seeds.htm
After you have selected your seeds you will need something to plant them in. Seeding trays are often the easiest way to sow seeds, but you can also use peat pellets which can be found at most garden centres. Make sure your tray comes with a lid as it helps to keep the seeds warm and damp during the initial growing period. If you are re-using trays be sure to give them a good wash before starting this year’s seeds.
When starting seeds indoors it is important to use a soil specifically for seeds. These mixes are lightweight and help ensure your seeds do not become waterlogged, or too dry. Seeds like consistent moisture, and I recommend using a misting spray bottle to keep them damp.
Once your seeds are planted (and covered) they will need good, bright light. Place them near a bright window, or you can use grow lights. It is a good idea to turn your trays every week so your plants grow straight and don’t lean towards the light. Some varieties of seeds require some extra warmth during the first week or two of germination: place them on top of your refrigerator, or you can purchase a heat mat for seedlings.
The final step for your seeds is to transplant them outdoors. Plants grown indoors need hardening off before they are planted outdoors. After the last frost date, start by setting them outside in a shady, sheltered spot, initially for half a day, then gradually leaving them out all day. Progressively move them into sunnier and windier areas to acclimatize to garden conditions.
Sowing seeds indoors is a great way to try fun new varieties, and a budget friendly way to fill the garden. Don’t just dream about your garden, start your seeds indoors and you will be enjoying it sooner than you think!
Karen Miller says
Can I buy the seed starting soil at your store.
Vanderwees Home and Garden says
Yes you can!