The Best Ways to Grow Plants in the House From a Seed
Most flowers and vegetables aren't difficult to grow indoors from seed, resulting in plants that cost a fraction of the cost of young plants purchased at a garden center or nursery. Planting seeds indoors allows you to get a jump start on the growing season, and is especially effective if you live in a cool climate with a short growing season. Read the seed packet to ensure that your seeds are fresh, as many older seeds aren't viable. Does this Spark an idea?
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Containers
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Containers for seeds planted indoors are a matter of choice. Plastic trays or pots from the garden center work well, but you can also use clean cottage cheese or margarine containers, plastic milk jugs or cardboard milk cartons, as long as you poke a hole in the bottom. Celled planting trays are convenient because the seedling is popped out of the cell and transplanted directly into the garden. Many gardeners prefer degradable pots such as peat pots, as the entire pot is planted in the soil, reducing transplant stress to tender seedlings.
Prepare the Container
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Fill the container with a well-drained potting soil, such as a commercial potting mix. Place the container in a shallow tray or bowl filled with water and allow the container to wick up water through the drainage hole overnight. Allow the excess water to drain before planting your seeds, as the potting mix should be damp but not wet. Firm the soil lightly with the back of an old spoon.
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Planting the Seeds
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Read the seed packet to determine when to plant your seeds. Most seeds are planted between four and 12 weeks before the last frost in your climate. Don't plant the seeds too early, as holding the seeds back results in spindly, unproductive plants. Similarly, the seed packet will tell you how to plant each specific type of seed. As a general rule, seeds should be covered with soil equal to about two to three times the diameter of the seed. Very tiny seeds aren't covered, but are only pressed into the soil.
Caring for Seeds
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Cover the container with a sheet of clear plastic, or slide the container into a clear plastic bag. Place the container in bright light, but not in direct sunlight, as the light magnified through the plastic will scorch the seedlings. As a general rule, normally warm room temperatures of about 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit are suitable for germination. Keep the soil consistently moist. Allowing the soil to dry may kill the seedlings, but too much water will create rot.
After Germination
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Remove the plastic covering as soon as the seeds germinate. Thin the plants when the seedlings are about 1 to 2 inches tall. The seed packet will provide specifics regarding thinning, but as a general rule, 2 to 3 inches of space between each plant is appropriate. If you planted the seeds in celled containers, thin to two plants per cell. To thin, cut the weaker seedlings off at ground level with a pair of clean fingernail scissors. At this time, seedlings planted in seedling trays should be transplanted to small, individual pots.
Planting Seedlings Outdoors
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Harden the seedlings for two weeks before planting outdoors. Place the seedlings in a shady, protected area. Allow the seedlings to become accustomed to full sunlight by moving them into sunlight for a few minutes per day at first, increasing the sunlight time gradually each day. Plant the seedlings in the permanent location when the seedlings spend an entire day in full sunlight. Refer to the seed packet for specific planting requirements for each plant.
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References
- Photo Credit Green seedings image by dakota from Fotolia.com
