How to Build an Indoor Seed Starting Station

Growing flowers from seed can be a fun and economical way to create the garden of your dreams; but the long and leggy results of seeds grown without enough light can be unsatisfying. Build your own seed station and eliminate those problems. The result will be beautiful lush plants ready for hardening off and transplanting into your garden. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Build a basic square frame with a plywood bottom. Make sure the seed station is small enough to be moved easily.

2. Add height to the back of the seed station so there is approximately a ten degree angle from back to front. This will help trap the heat from sun or plant lights and help promote healthy roots for your fledgling plants.

3. Make a lid with an old window or by creating a framework and then dropping plates of glass into it. Secure to the box with hinges and attach a heavy handle on the front to make opening and closing easier.

4. Paint the wooden portions of your seed station with a white oil based paint. This provides a reflective quality that helps keep the seeds warm.

5. Place a plastic liner inside the bottom of the box to prevent any water damage to your floors or carpets. You can also place plastic growing trays over the top of the liner to further protect your floor coverings.

6. Lay down a layer of pea gravel to promote healthy drainage and follow this with a good layer of sterile soil or potting medium. Plant your seeds and water carefully but not too much. Keep the soil moist but not heavily saturated.

7. Place your seed station beneath a south facing window or under growing lamps. If using growing lamps, prop the lid open to allow some heat to escape. If using florescent lamps, this step is usually not needed. Light your seeds for approximately twelve hours per day.