Here in Southern Utah, we all know the Springtime weather can be quite unpredictable. It is not unusual to see sunshine one day and snow the next. Even so, the general feeling of Springtime is (at least for the most part) in the air. As the days are gradually growing longer and warmer, we are getting excited about…GARDENING! But hold your horses just a bit longer before planting your outdoor garden. You may, however, begin starting your seeds indoors!
Seed starting gives your seedlings just a bit of a head start, giving them a better chance at growing bigger and having a better and longer harvest. It is a great way to invite the feeling of Springtime into your home and foster gardening enjoyment in your little ones…they absolutely love to watch the seeds begin to sprout!
You can find the best time to start different types of seeds on the back of the seed packages. Of course, to become a seed starting expert, you must first gain the know-how through experience. But especially if it’s your first time, it doesn’t hurt to have a blueprint. Think of this guide as your blueprint to seed starting.
To begin, you will need:
- Seedling tray with cells, drip tray, and cover (be sure tray has good drainage)
- Seed starting soil mix
- Fluorescent or LED grow lights
- Heat mat
- Spray bottle “mister” and watering can with rain nozzle
- Plant labels
- Seeds
Step 1
Fill a large bowl with seed-starting mix. Mix in a little bit of water to evenly moisten the soil.
Step 2
Put your seed tray inside of the dip tray and fill each cell with soil until it is just below the top.
Step 3
Sow the seeds. If the seeds are small, sprinkle a few of them over the soil. If they are large, you can push two seeds into the soil in each cell. Sprinkle just a bit more soil over the tops of the seeds and mist until it is damp.
Tip: Plant the seed to the same depth as its thickness. For example, small seeds like arugula need just a small sprinkling of soil over the tops. Pumpkin seeds and other large seeds need to be covered by a lot more soil.
Step 4
Cover the tray. Put it under the lights on the heat mat. Remember your plant labels!
General Care
Most seeds can germinate in either darkness or light, but once the seeds have sprouted, keep the lights on between 12 and 16 hours per day. Keep the lights between two and three inches above your seedlings.
Remember to check if your seedlings need misting at least once a day. Keep the surface of your soil lightly damp. If your seeds dry out, they won’t germinate but if they are too wet, they could rot. When your plants have been growing for a while and are large, you can switch from misting to using a watering can with a rain nozzle.
Thank you for reading! With this information, you are now well on your way to becoming a seed starting expert. The next step is to try it out. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask us. We love hearing about how the seed starting goes for you, so remember to keep in touch with us! We hope that your seeds do well and provide you with a bountiful harvest when Fall comes around. Seed starting can be quite enjoyable, and we hope you like it as much as we do!
We have a large selection of seeds in-store, so come on in and see what we have for your garden. Watch for our next blog, where we will cover sowing your seeds outdoors!
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