By: Paige Schwahn

Some people don't know where to start when it comes to starting plants from seeds and others have failed in the past and decided seed starting wasn’t for them. Well I hope this gives you the inspiration to try again.

Indoor seed starting or sowing outside?

Some seeds are best started indoors 6 to 10 weeks before the last frost date, because they are slower growing and it will help you get a jump on the season and get to harvest faster. Examples: tomatoes, peppers, flowers and herbs.

Other plants are best to sow directly in the soil because either they are fast growing or they do not like their roots being disturbed, like squash, green beans, corn, cucumbers, root crops.

It is important to read your seed packet it often have a wealth of knowledge to help you get started:

• Picture/drawing - see coloration, general shape
• Variety & description - this will let you know what to expect, growing habits, taste or color notes
• Germination dates - so you know when to expect the seedling to pop out of the soil
• Date to flower or harvest - this will help you plan your season and possible succession sowing
• Special instructions - the seed might need sunlight to germinate or cold stratification

What seeds need:

Seeds need water, warmth, oxygen, good germination medium and light.

• Water: Evenly moist medium is key, if it stays too wet or too dry it can affect germination and stunt growth.
• Warmth: Seeds have a range of temperatures they can germinate at
• Germination medium: Should be fine and even, loose and airy. Many use soil-less mixes to reduce the amount of bugs or disease, but you will need to supplement with diluted fertilizer.
• Light: Light can either encourage or prevent some seeds from germinating. But once the seed germinates, light will become very important for its growth.

Seed starting steps:

• Find a container to plant your seeds in for germination. Options include store bought seed starter cells and trays, small plastic pots, peat pots or pellets, repurposed food and drink containers.
• Make sure the containers have holes or punch holes on the bottom for proper draining
• Make sure your container is washed and sanitized with a diluted bleach solution this helps cut down on disease and pests, especially if the container was used before.
• Using a soil-less medium also helps cut down on disease and pests
• Moisten the germination medium

• Fill the container with your medium and press it lightly
• Add seeds to the mix, a rule of thumb is to plant the seed twice as deep as its diameter. Check for any special needs for planting the seed.
• After sowing seeds, moisten the planting mix—preferably with a fine mist spray. Avoid heavy watering or splashing, as this can displace small seeds. Take care when hand-watering newly planted seed trays to prevent disturbance.
• To help keep the mixture moist you can use plastic wrap loosely draped or a seed starting dome.
• Depending on the temperature of the place you keep the container you can use a heat mat or place on top of your fridge to keep the container warm.
• Once the seeds start germinating, take off any plastic wrap or dome and leave it off. Also remove the heating mat if using one.

• If using grow lights make sure the container is as close to the lights as the product recommends.
• Watch and check the moisture levels and light levels
• When watering after germination, watering from the bottom is recommended
• After the seedling gets it first couple real leaves, use a diluted water soluble fertilizer every 1 to 2 weeks
• Watch the seedlings growth and pot up before the roots start circling.
• When we get close to our last frost date, start watching the 10 day forecast so you know when to harden off your seedlings.
• Before you move the seedlings outside you have to make sure you harden them off, to do this you will need to take them outside for short amounts of time over multiple days, up to a couple weeks. This allows the plants to get acclimated to the outdoor environment.
• During early morning or in the evening to keep your plant's stress to a minimum, plant your seedlings outside and press the soil around the base of the plant and water it well.

Just remember, seeds want to grow, that is what they are made for, every time you fail you learn and you can do better next time, you got this!