Starting Seeds Indoors

I will be the first to admit that my enthusiasm for starting seeds indoors fluctuates a lot from year to year. Some years I am digging out my supplies at the start of the new year to get an early crop of microgreens growing. In other years, I have decided to entirely skip starting seeds indoors. With all the craziness in the world right now, however, there was no question in my mind what I would do this year.

In early February, I went out to the granary to retrieve my seed starting supplies and I got started. Do not let the idea of starting seeds intimidate you. With the right supplies and equipment, it is a fairly straight forward process. Below are the basic steps I take to start my seeds indoors.

1. Buy High Quality Seeds

There are a lot of great sources out there to order high quality seeds from. Some of my favorites are: Johnny’s Selected Seeds, John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds and Seed Savers Exchange. All of the seeds that I started inside this year happened to be from Johnny’s, including the batches of microgreens that I have been growing continuously for two months now.

On a side note, for any of you who are nerds like me about organization, this handy photo/craft organizer keeps all of my seed packets dry and easy to find. Having my seeds in order makes me happy!

2. Purchase Potting Supplies

I have a variety of different seed starter trays that I use. For my microgreens, I use this shallow style germination tray and set it inside a leakproof tray. I ordered mine from Johnny’s Selected Seeds but due to current circumstances, they are currently only shipping to commercial customers through April 6th.

The other type of tray that I am using this year is pictured below with my new zinnia babies that have sprouted. It is a 72 cell seed starting kit and it is the first style I purchased when I started growing seeds. I would not necessarily recommend this style, as I find it difficult to get the seedlings out when it is time to transplant them outdoors. The cells end up getting cracked and ruined when I am squeezing them to pull the seedlings out. I am only using them because I still have some on hand.

My personal favorite style of seed starter kits are these ones from Jiffy that use netted pellets. The kits come in different sizes and mine are the 36 count trays. Each year I just order new pellets and I can reuse the trays.

Simply pour warm water on the pellets and watch them slowly expand into these slick cells that make transplanting into the garden a breeze. Featured below is another baby zinnia that will provide me with some beautiful cut flowers this summer!

This year I am also using some standard peat pots for starting my pumpkins indoors. I did this a few years back and had great success. Last year I had very poor germination with my pumpkin seeds and so I am hoping for a better outcome this year.

3. Get Started Planting Seeds

Once I have my potting supplies all gathered, it is time to start planting. Read seed packets carefully and make sure to plant at the proper depth and density. For my microgreens, I use this shaker to disburse seeds evenly in the shallow germination trays.

The other seeds I do by hand or for the very small seeds, I have been known to use a tweezers to get them evenly placed in the growing medium. Once the seeds are planted, make sure to soak them down good and keep them moist while growing.

4. Set in a Sunny Window or Under a Grow Light

Finally, find a sunny window or use a grow light for your seeds. Having plenty of light will help to reduce the likelihood of the seedlings becoming “leggy.” My seed starting operation is pretty small. I have a three shelf unit, with the two lower shelves having grow lights. You can find my grow light here.

I place my unit in our south facing sunroom and because it stays fairly warm in the room, I have not yet purchased a heating mat. Many people use them to speed up germination. We have a timer on the grow lights so that the seedlings are getting around 16 hours of light each day. I also run the ceiling fan in the room to circulate the air, which helps minimize disease and also helps promote sturdier seedlings.

With all my seeds already sprouted, I just have to make sure to keep them watered until it is time to harden them off and get them planted outdoors. As a resident of gardening Zone 4a, I have quite a few weeks to go.

And while I have been inconsistent in the past with starting seedlings, my appreciation for growing our own food has never been stronger. I do not plan to ever take a year off in the future and in fact, I am thinking about expanding my setup next year. If you have ever considered starting a garden, or if you already have a garden and have been thinking about dabbling in starting seeds indoors, I would encourage you to take the plunge this year!