I’ve been blogging a lot about seed starting indoors, because I am preparing to sow my tomato seeds this weekend. I can’t wait to share the process with you! If you are also planning on seed starting indoors within the coming weeks, check out these must-know tips for starting seeds indoors. With these tricks, you’ll successfully start healthy seeds that produce well throughout the year.
Tip #1: Timing Is Everything
One of the most common questions I am asked regarding seed starting is when to start seeds indoors. While it seems like a risky guess, it’s actually pretty simple. Plan to sow your seeds indoors 5-6 weeks prior to the last frost date in your region. To determine when your last frost date is, check out this guide from Farmers Almanac.
Because I live in Colorado, I will need to start my seeds ASAP, which is why I have my sowing scheduled for this weekend. Additionally, depending on what you plant (especially flowers) it isn’t always necessary to sow seeds 4-6 weeks early. Most flowers only need 2-3 weeks of seedling grow time, while most vegetables benefit from a longer germination indoors.
Tip #2: Container Isn’t Crucial
Believe it or not, you can start seeds indoors in almost any container, just so long as there is adequate drainage. I like to reuse containers as often as I can, so I use things like used and cleaned sour cream/cottage cheese containers with drilled holes in the bottom to start a majority of my seeds.
You can use pretty much anything you have laying around the house, but you might have to poke holes in the bottom! Feel free to get creative, but always take into account that the water will need to drain into a container of sorts. I’ve even seen people start seeds in half an eggshell–the eggshell provides nutrients and then can be composted when you move your seedlings outdoors.
Tip #3: Grow Lights Are Your Friend
One of the most common reasons for failed seedlings is a lack of adequate sunlight. Because it’s still early March, there isn’t tons of natural sunlight to rely upon. Because of this, grow lights are going to be your best friend. Remember that for best results, the grow light should be 3-4 inches directly above the soil and should stay lit at least 6 hours out of the day.
Tip #4: Prepare to Go Through A Lot of Water
New seedlings are THIRSTY. Prepare to water your soil at least once a day in order to keep soil consistently moist. You might find that once per day is excessive, but just as long as your soil is consistently moist, it should provide enough water to support the growth of the seedlings.
Tip #5: Use The Right Mix
The right soil is another important element of successful seed starting. I like to use a mixture of Coco Coir and other nutrients to give my seedlings the nutrients necessary to thrive. This blog post has the full recipe. Even if you don’t use my DIY soil, I do recommend misting the soil with water to dampen it just before placing the seeds.
For other seed starting tips and tricks, check out my latest blog posts:
When to Start Tomato Seeds Indoors
