Sowing Indoor Seeds

Spring has sprung.

We’ve been having wonderful warm weather, bordering on summer temperatures.  All this sun has stirred up the gardener in me. A couple weeks ago, I sowed some indoor seeds (under my indoor grow lights) and have germination!

Like I said before, for me, it is so rewarding to grow from seed.

But I know many people are intimidated, and I was. I mean, when I looked up how to do it, there were soils (and soils and mixes), pH levels, heat pads, temperatures, moisture, and it seemed, so much more to think of, including grow lights.

You don’t need grow lights, but they do help.

Growing from seed is easier than I thought – here’s how I do it, and I’ve had a lot of success.

What I Use

1.  Containers

I use the small black seed starters (for small veggies)
AND
I save up yogurt containers and drill holes for drainage.
I like the bigger pots (yogurt containers) for larger plants because the plant roots have a lot
more room to grow and don’t become root-bound.

2. Seed Starter Soil

This is different from garden soil. Seed starter soil is light and easy for the seeds to push through.

3. Propagation Tray and Humidity Dome

The propagation tray is what I keep my pots in.
The humidity dome keeps the  temperature constant and environment moist.

4. Seeds

I sowed seeds that need 8 – 10 weeks growth before being planted outside. Later,
I’ll do others that need only a few weeks.

5. Sharpie

Label the pots! 

DIRECTIONS

After drilling holes in the bottom of my yogurt containers, I fill the pots with dirt, and place them in the tray with some water.

Next I make a small indent in the center of each pot and drop in a couple seeds. How deep an indent I make depends on the size of seed. The larger the seed, the larger the indent. Then I cover the seeds.

Place the humidity dome over the tray and place in a well-lit area (I have bad light in my house so windows never worked from me)
OR under grow lights.

I set up a timer and have my lights on for 14 hours a day.

I monitor the plants ensuring they are moist, but not soaking. Once I see sprouts, I remove the humidity dome.

Over time, I accommodating the growing plants by tilting and raising the lights.

What’s under my lights?
Peppers, Tomatoes, Dill, Basil, Cilantro, Rosemary, Parsley, Cauliflower, Lettuce, Kale, and Black-Eyed Susans.

And if I can do it, so can you. :)

What are you growing this year?