How to Raise Vegetable Seedlings

Raise a seedling from seed indoors where the seed is sheltered from harsh temperatures and pests.

Raising vegetable seedlings involves starting the seeds indoors in small containers and allowing them to germinate and begin to sprout in a temperate environment. After you raise the seedlings indoors, transplant them outdoors. Starting indoors can benefit warm- or cool-season crops. Start warm-season varieties during late winter to transplant after the last frost and allow them to mature outdoors until a summer or fall harvest. Start cool-season varieties indoors in winter for planting in early spring so that they have enough time to continue maturing outdoors before the weather gets too hot for their growing habits.

Things You'll Need

• Vegetable seeds
• Potting soil
• Small containers with holes at the bottom for drainage
• Tray or old plate
• Water

Instructions

1. Fill small containers with potting soil recommended for growing vegetables. Fill nearly up to the top, as the level will decrease after the soil compacts from watering. Place on top of a tray or old plate for drainage.

2. Moisten the soil by watering and watch to make sure it drains properly into the tray. Enlarge holes if the drainage seems inadequate.

3. Sprinkle seeds onto the top of the soil, keeping each container homogeneous if you are raising several varieties at once. Cover the seeds with additional soil at a depth twice the diameter of the particular seed.

4. Place the seeds in an area of the house where they will be undisturbed and receive full sunlight, such as a windowsill. Continue regular watering of the containers to maintain moist soil without over-watering; the tray should not fill up with much liquid, but the top half inch of soil should feel moist. The vegetables are ready for transplanting when they have sprouted and when the weather is warm enough to not endanger them with frost.

References

• Sunset: How to Start Seeds Indoors