Starting Plants from Seeds: It Seems Hard, But It Doesn’t Have to Be! 🌱
So, you're thinking about starting your plants from seeds? At first, it can feel a little overwhelming. There’s a lot to consider—timing, light, soil, watering, and of course, the patience to wait for those first little sprouts to appear. But don’t let that scare you off! Here’s why starting plants from seeds is not as hard as it seems and why it’s actually a super rewarding experience.
Why Start From Seeds?
Growing plants from seeds has some advantages. Seeds are most cost effective. For the price of one small seedling at your local home improvement store which is generally between $3 - $6, you can get 2-3 bags of seeds in that same store. With those seed bags you have the potential to grow at least 20-30 plants depending on the seed purchased.
You also get a wider variety of plants to choose from, especially if you purchase seeds online. Purchasing seedlings in person only gives you a limited type of plants to choose from. For example, when purchasing herbs the typical ones such as basil, thyme and rosemary are available. There is a whole world of herb seeds to plant in your garden.
You also know the source of your food and can monitor the soil and fertilizer that you use to grow for your plants.
So how do I get started?
The most important and the first step is choosing the right seed. If this is your very first time planting from seed, pick seeds that are easy to grow from seed and germinate quickly. Also, selecting seeds from sources that have reliable germination rates is also necessary. As an ambassador for TrueLeaf seeds, I personally purchase their seeds and see a high amount of success using their seeds. Click on my referral link to shop with TrueLeaf.
Seeds that are great for beginners are basil, beans, lettuce, marigold and sunflowers. These seeds germinate quickly and are not super picky about their conditions. Because starting seeds on the inside is completely different from starting seeds on the outside you will need to consider which option works best for you.
All seed starting mixes are not created equal.
When you are at the gardening center do you feel overwhelmed with all the choices? Fill dirt, organic raised bed, ground dirt, compost, etc? Here is something easy to remember, none of those dirts that comes in large bags are what you want to use to start your seedlings? Why? Because they are too heavy. The way that seeds are able to grow is that they are encased in a shell that protects it. In order for that shell to open it needs the right amount of water as well as the right amount of soil contact. If the soil is too heavy, the seed might open but the sprout won't be able to push through.
I recommend you use a mix that has perlite, vermiculite and peat moss. There are multiple recipes you can google that will give you those proportions but those individuals ingredients for a good mix are expensive for a start up gardener. Buying a small bag of a good brand will last you for quite some time if you keep it out of the sun and dry. Black Gold is a brand I work with and gives me great results. You can buy it online or at local smaller home stores like Ace Hardware.
At this point your probably ready to throw in the towel and I get it, starting with seed takes a little more effort but if you are still with me I have a game changing tip that will greatly increase your success.
SOAK YOUR SEEDS. That's it. Let your seeds soak in water.
The reason germination takes so long and why many seeds do not make it is because the casing does not come off. To speed up the process and encourage the shell to come out soak the seed in lukewarm water. 12 hours is a general rule of thumb but you could go as far as 24 hours. A good way to set it up is after you have your breakfast shake some seeds in a small plastic cup that you label and after dinner sprinkle the seeds in your garden or in your small indoor plastic container or small pot. Make sure your post has holes drained so that water can escape.
Water Wisely
You may think that seeds need to constantly be soaked based on what I wrote about the shell swelling. Seeds actually need consistent moisture. If you overwater the seed will rot, your soil can get moldy or worse you get small gnats gathering in them if you choose to plant inside. To avoid that, when you first water, cover the plant with plastic wrap on top to hold in the moisture and create the humidity the plant needs. Do not water from the top but place the container in a saucer of water to help the plant get more moisture. Lift the plastic to check each day to see if the seeds have germinated. Once they start peeking through as sprouts, uncover the container. If you are planting outside, keep an eye on the weather and if the temperature is high lightly water your soil to prevent seeds drying out.
Patience is Key
Even though you soaked your seeds, bought quality starting soil and covered with plastic seeds still need time. Not all seeds are going to sprout so make sure you do not use your whole bag of seeds when you start your planting.
Starting from seeds may seem challenging at first, but once you get the hang of it, in the long run will save you money and bring your more garden success.. Happy planting! 🌿
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So what plants are you thinking of growing?
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