Regarding gardening, what are some tips to successfully start seeds indoors?

1. 93

   ktrappposted 12 years ago

   Regarding gardening, what are some tips to successfully start seeds indoors?
   
   I have often heard gardeners recommend starting seeds indoors. But I did not have the best luck the one time I tried. I need some tips, like what month should I start, what seeds work best, what kind of soil do I use, should I put them in direct sun, do I cover them up, how often should I water them, etc. Also, when I am ready to plant it outdoors do I plant the container too or do I take it out.

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2. 47

   betsuzposted 12 years ago

   I always start seeds in the Jiffy peet pot Greenhouse Kits that you can buy at places like nursery's or hardware stores. What I do is I just follow the instructions in the kit.
   
   Just make sure you keep the top of the lid on it until the seed germinates. And keep it in an area that has filtered light. At least that's what works for me. You might have to water occasionally but the condensation inside the greenhouse should be good too. It depends on the type of seed, and the instructions on the kit.
   
   Tomatoes are easy to start indoors and transfer outdoors and they are hearty plants. I just use the peet pot when it's ready to plant outdoors and then just plant it in the ground like it is. I add some soil and mix it in.
   
   As far as the type of soil, you might check the ph level of the soil you have in the ground. You might have to add some top soil. It depends on what you are planting. Vegetables, Flowers, Herbs?
   
   Hope that helped a little

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3. 67

   Bretsukiposted 12 years ago

   I would suggest using a ready made seed and cutting soil. Garden soil has bacteria and fungus that can spoil your seeds chance of germination indoors.
   
   Jiffy pots are excellent as mentioned by betsuz. They can be planted out in the ground when the weather conditions suit.
   
   When to plant seeds is difficult to say, it depends on your latitude, a good gardening guide should give you an approximate sowing time.
   
   I would suggest planting in a well lit area but not full sun. Too high of a heat can make the seedlings weak. Maintain a temp in the region of 57- 62 degrees F. for the day and not below 55 degrees F. at night.
   
   You should water the pots before sowing small seeds, then sprinkle them thinly over the surface of the pot. If they are very small mix a few seeds with fine sand and sprinkle the mixture evenly on the soil surface. Seeds often come with instructions as to whether to cover them.
   
   Large seeds like, sweet peas, vegetable peas, and beans may be soaked in water over night to allow them to hydrate. plant those on to a pot and bury them one and a half times their size in depth. a quarter inch thick bean could be planted upto thre5/8ths inch deep.
   
   You will need to water lightly but do not water again until the seedlings have appeared.
   
   When the weather begins to warm outside, place the seedlings in a shelterd area where they get good light, and leave them out all day bringing them in overnight. This process is called "hardening off" after several days plants will acclimatize and when there is little chance of a hard frost they can be safely planted out.

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4. 0

   Arlene V. Pomaposted 12 years ago

   k, I gave up on starting seeds many moons ago.  If you look through the seed catalogs, they have all kinds of gizmos to help you start seeds.  I tried the little pots and the ones with rows of pots.  I put them near a window and had to move them around.  Otherwise, the little buggers will lean towards the sunlight and not get enough sunshine.  When you do have some decent starts, you have to harden them off by giving them some time in the sun.  This is after the frost and before the killer summer sun.  Well, I did all of these things, then my husband took my whole tray, put it on the patio roof, and forgot about them.  When you harden them off, you are simply giving your plants a chance to get used to the outdoors.  But, they aren't ready to be left outside.  Well, hubby put the plants out and forgot about them.  So he cooked them.  I was so disappointed.  Since then, we buy starts from the nursery that have gone past that stage and have a good chance for survival.  I have nothing against starting seeds.  If you are patient and want a particular plant, go for it!  There are all kinds of plants that will reward you for your efforts.  But not all gardeners are seed starters, and I'm one of them.

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