Seed Starting for Beginners

One of the most economical ways to start a garden is from seed. One small packet of seeds can grow an abundance of food. For some people this is how they have gardened for years. If you are like I was a few years ago, the thought of starting your garden from seed may be a little intimidating. Don’t stress though! Seed starting is relatively simple and incredibly rewarding and fun. So this article is all about seed starting 101 and it is for absolute beginners.

Why should you think about starting your garden from seed?

• Starting your garden from seed can be cost effective. Plant starts can cost anywhere from $3 to $10 depending on where you live. You can buy a packet of seeds for as cheap as $1. That packet of seeds can be turned into many many plants for your garden, producing a ton of food.

• Starting your garden from seeds can mean extending your season. We have a pretty long season here in the deep south, but those who live in northern climates can greatly benefit from starting their seeds inside or using a green house to start seeds. If you can get them started inside and to a certain point of growth, you can harvest several weeks earlier than direct sown seeds.

• By starting seeds, you can have as many plants as you want, potentially selling any extras. Seed starting is not only rewarding, but it can also be lucrative for you. For us, the cheapest place to buy plant starts is at big box stores. The plant starts from there have most likely traveled hundreds of miles just to get there. The selection of varieties from most stores is not as wide as from companies that sell seeds. Not to mention, it’s just not worth spending the extra money when we have so many seed packets at home at no extra cost. Starting extra plants could mean a side income for you too. Our farmer’s market has an annual seed sale each year, but I know of some people who have made deals with local stores to sell their plant starts. If you want more reasons as to why you should start a garden in the first place, check out this article here.

By starting seeds yourself, you will know exactly where they came from and the care that they have been getting. Starting your garden from seeds is cheaper, healthier and more fun. However, there are a few things to know before you get started.

Seed starting 101: What do I need to start my seeds?

Soil for seed starting.

To start out, all you really need is soil, a small container for the soil, seeds, water and light.

 For the soil, you can buy a container mix or a seed starting mix. Container mixes are going to have more bark products in them. Because of this, the soil from potting mixes will need to be sifted so that the seedling can push up through the soil and not have the bark in the way. The advantage of using a potting mix is that it will have ingredients in it to feed the seedling for several weeks. I prefer using a seed starting mix because of this.

If you decide to go with a seed starting mix, you shouldn’t have to sift your soil. It is formulated so that seedlings can push through the soil and so that their roots can grow easily. However, if you are buying a seed starting mix from big box stores, it’s probably not going to have much in it to feed your seedlings. You’ll will have to do this yourself as the seedlings grow. You can do this with a foliar feed or with a fertilizer you mix into the soil. Buying seed starting mix also tends to be more expensive than a potting mix. Diluted fish fertilizer works well to feed your seedlings. Just be careful not too over feed. This can stunt them just like under feeding. I only feed my seedlings when I see pale and discolored leaves.

You can also create your own seed starting mix. I typically take a whole bag of potting mix and sift it. I then add in peat moss or coco coir to the soil until it feels a little lighter and fluffier. Adding a little perlite is a good idea as well to help retain moisture.

Once you have the soil for starting your seeds, you should probably pick out the seeds you want to plant.

You do not have to buy seeds from a catalogue or even a big box store. Seeds from a dollar store work just as well as any when you are starting out. However, if you really want to find variety, check out some seed catalogues. I get so excited looking through them during the winter months. They can bring so much inspiration into the spring garden and the varieties are much wider than what you will find in big box stores. Some of my favorite ones are MIGardener (online catalogue), Baker Creek seeds and Botanical Interests.

Decide on what your budget will be.

Plan according to your budget. Do you want to spend $4 for one packet of heirloom seeds or would you rather the quantity you can get from a $1 packet? Do you want a large garden to put up food for the year without spending tons of money or would you rather a small garden with tasty varieties that may not give you enough to preserve? Or, do you want both? Decide what your priorities are for your garden and what your budget will be. This will help in choosing the soil, seeds and containers.

Containers for seed starting.

Containers for seed starting can be anything from repurposed toilet paper rolls to plastic party cups with holes drilled into the bottom for drainage. You can find plenty of varieties of seed starting containers on Amazon. If you want something that is going to last you more than one season, you may want to consider ordering hardy plastic seed trays. No matter what you decide to use, be sure that your container has drainage. Also, if you choose very small containers, such as 1”x1”, you will most likely have to pot up before transplanting time so that your seedling can grow and it’s roots can grow strong.

Seed starting 101: The process of seed starting can be suspenseful and exciting, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are simple steps to starting your own seeds.

1. Fill your containers with your soil. I find it best to moisten my soil before I plant my seeds so that they do no become misplaced by the pouring of water on them. If you do decide to water after your have planted your seeds, you can do this by either pouring water on top, or bottom watering. Bottom watering requires a solid tray underneath which is then filled with water. The soil will absorb the moisture from underneath. Seeds need moisture to germinate whichever method you choose.
2. Next, holes will need to be made at the depth indicated on the back of your seed packet. I usually do this with a pen or pencil eraser because that is what I have on hand. Be sure not to plant your seeds too deep or they will use too much energy trying to reach the surface. If they are planted too shallow, they may not germinate. Don’t stress over this too much though. Seeds want to grow.
3. Don’t forget to label your seed starts! I have so often lost labels or simply forgotten to put them on and ended up with mystery plants.
4. The next thing to do is to sit your containers in a relatively warm, dark place. We usually put ours on top of our refrigerator until the seedlings have emerged. They should then go outside or under a grow light. If temperatures are still below freezing in your area, they should go under a grow light, inside a green house or in a very sunny window. If they go under a grow light, somewhere such as a closet or basement will work perfectly. You want to make sure your seedlings get plenty of UV light so that they do not become leggy. This makes for weaker plants.
5. Transplanting can be done when the weather outside permits. This can vary from plant to plant. For instance, we wait until the night time temps are above 70 degrees before we transplant our peppers. But, we transplant our spinach and lettuce as soon as it is above freezing.

Some types of plants need to be started from seed by direct sowing.

Not all seeds have to be started inside. Beans, squash, carrots (root veggies in general) and melons all do well when direct seeded. Our local nursery sells six packs of carrot starts for around $2. That means we would only get six carrots for $2. This is insane when you think about the fact that one packet of carrot seeds can easily contain around 200 seeds for the same price. This applies to beans, turnips, peas, greens, and so many more! You just get more for your money when planting from seeds rather than buying starts from the store. Starting a garden from seed can also insure better health for your plants. Plant starts from big companies have often been shipped from all over. When starting plants at home, the plants have the potential to be stronger and healthier with proper care.

Things to remember:

1. The most important thing to remember about seed starting 101 is that seeds need soil, water and light. But they also need proper care once they emerge. They will need regular water and plenty of sunlight.
2. You can go as expensive or cheap as you like with seed starting. It’s okay to start them in recycled materials as well as buying supplies that will last for years to come.
3. Care for your seedlings and they will make strong transplants that produce more food than you can handle!
4. Don’t make seed starting more complicated than it needs to be. Watch your seedlings after they emerge. Chances are, you will recognize if you’ve watered too much or if they need a feeding.

When deciding to plant your garden from seed, you are saving money as well as becoming a more experienced gardener. Even if the thought of seed starting is intimidating, try it anyways! You don’t have much to lose, but you have a lot to gain. I hope this overview of seed starting 101 helps you learn a new skill and save some money while you are at it.