Grow Like a Pro: How to Start Seeds Indoors for a Thriving Garden

As winter begins to fade and signs of spring begin to emerge, gardeners everywhere enter into a collective anticipation—a new growing season is just around the corner. Your climate, and therefore the types of seeds you start, will vary depending on what zone you’re in. Whether you’re sowing cool-season crops or preparing warm-weather favorites, starting your seeds indoors can set you up for a successful growing season. In this blog post, we’ll cover the basic need-to-knows to help you successfully start seeds when the time is right for your garden. 

Choosing the Right Seeds

Before you start planting, it’s important to choose seeds that are best suited for your climate, growing conditions, and garden goals. Here’s what to consider:

• Your Zone - Check your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone, or local frost dates, to determine which seeds to start indoors and when. You can learn more about the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone in our blog post here.
  
  
• Cool vs. Warm-Season Crops - Crops like leafy greens and onions can be started early, while crops like tomatoes and squash need warmer temperatures to survive.
  
  
• Read the Seed Pack - Germination time, light requirements, planting depth, and special care instructions vary depending on what you’re growing. 

Seed Starting Supplies

Having the right supplies can make a huge difference when starting seeds! Give your seedlings the best possible start with these key items:

• Seed-Starting Containers - Use trays and pots with drainage holes to prevent water logging. Pro Tip: Use different colors for different varieties to easily keep track of what you planted. Check out our colorful pots here.
  
  
  
  
• Seed-Starting Mix - Avoid regular garden soil and opt for a lightweight, well-draining mix that is designed to support delicate seedlings.
  
  
• Beneficial Nematodes SF - Watering your seedlings with Beneficial Nematodes SF after planting helps prevent fungus gnats and other soil-borne pests.
  
  
• Seedling Heat Mats - Help ensure proper germination by placing your seed starts on heat mats. 
  
  
• Reliable Light Source - Most seedlings need 12-16 hours of light a day, use grow lights to ensure strong and sturdy growth.

How to Start Your Seeds

Starting seeds from home can be a fun and rewarding process. Follow these steps to give your seedlings a thriving start:

1. Prepare Your Containers - Begin by filling your trays or pots with a lightweight seed-starting mix.
   
   
   
   
2. Plant Your Seeds - Check the information on your seed packets to find out the appropriate depth and spacing to plant your seeds. Plant your seeds accordingly, then cover them with a thin layer of soil.
   
   
   
3. Water With Beneficial Nematodes SF - Activate your nematodes with lukewarm water and use the mixture to moisten the soil evenly. You want the soil damp, but not soaked.
   
   
   
4. Label Your Seedlings - Using plant markers and/or assigning different colored containers for different varieties helps with keeping track of what’s what!
   
   
5. Provide Warmth for Germination - place your seed starts on seedling heat mats to help maintain ideal soil temperature and ensure germination. You can also pair your heat mats with a heat mat temperature controller to monitor and regulate soil temperatures.
   
   
   
6. Provide 12 to 16 Hours of Light Daily - Natural light can be inconsistent and unreliable. Using grow lights is an easy way to provide the amount of light seedlings need to grow.
   
   
7. Keep an Eye on Them - Check on your seedlings daily, making sure they’re not too dry, too wet, or developing pests. Water lightly when needed and adjust the temperature of heat mats and height of grow lights when necessary. 
   
   

Selecting the right seeds, utilizing essential supplies, and following a reliable planting process can set you up for a flourishing garden you can be proud of. As your seedlings start to mature, keep in mind that some may need to be up-potted into larger containers to allow for continued growth. You’ll also want to start fertilizing them to ensure they get the nutrients they need—choose a fertilizer that works for you! We like using Monterey Fish & Guano Liquid Fertilizer and Alaskan Fish Fertilizer to support strong, healthy plants. Giving your seedlings the right care at this stage will set them up for success in the garden!