How to Grow Vegetable Seeds in Containers

Starting your own vegetable seeds in containers is an easy, straight-forward process. Not only does growing your own plants from scratch save money over buying established plants at a garden center, but it also allows you to grow a myriad of vegetable varieties that are hard to find at supermarkets and grocery stores. It's also a great opportunity to grow unique and unusual heirloom vegetables.

Things You'll Need

• Vegetable seeds
• Small or large plastic containers
• Potting mix with fertilizer

Instructions

1. Choose the types of vegetables that you would like to grow. Try to select some that you and your family enjoy, as growing your own produce can help save money on your food bill. You may also want to try some gourmet vegetables, such as specialty greens and lettuces, heirloom tomatoes, mini corn and Italian frying peppers.

2. Decide what size containers you want to start your seeds in. There are two ways to grow vegetable seeds in containers. The first is to use small containers to start the seeds. Once they are large enough, the plants can be transplanted into large containers or directly into the ground. A second option is to plant your vegetable seeds directly into large containers where they can grow from seeds into full-sized plants. The latter is an ideal option for smaller vegetables that don't handle transplant well such as loose leaf lettuce, dwarf carrots and radishes.

3. Purchase your containers and potting mix. Small containers, including traditional seed flats and diminutive plastic planters, can be found at any garden center. However, you can also recycle your plastic yogurt, cottage cheese or sour cream containers for starting seeds. Just make sure to clean them out and add a few small pebbles to the bottom for drainage if you are concerned about accidentally over watering.

4. Fill your containers 3/4 full with potting mix. If you are using small containers gently press a few seeds into the mix and cover the soil. However, if you are using large containers be sure to leave ample space between the seeds depending on the variety that you are growing. Beans, peas and carrots can be planted close together, however, tomatoes, peppers and eggplants need more space. The back of the seed packet will provide you with specific information on how much space is needed between seeds.

5. Place the seed containers in a sunny windowsill or in a sun room that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of full sun per day. If you don't have ample natural sunlight, grow lights are a good alternative and can be purchased at garden supply centers. Water the potting mix occasionally and use caution not to over water. The mix should be moist but not soaking wet. Depending on the type of vegetable seeds you have planted germination can be expected within a few days. Once the seedlings are 4 to 6 weeks old they can be moved outdoors if the weather is warm enough. Be sure to gradually transition them to the sun and elements by "hardening" them off. This means leaving them in a semi-shaded area outdoors for a few hours a day then bringing them back inside for about a week before placing them outside in full sun permanently.