How to Start Seeds Indoors

This is our second year starting seeds indoors.  We had great success last year using very basic supplies including:  a fluorescent light, heated blanket, plastic cups, drip trays and seed starting soil.  This year we are starting vegetable and herb seeds indoors.

Vegetable seeds

Herb seeds

 
It is so easy to start seeds inside and it is more economical versus buying plants.  Here's how you can do this at home.

First gather the following supplies:

• Table or something that has a flat surface 
• 2 plastic sheets:  one to protect your heating blanket from water and the other to cover your seeds. We use 9ft by 12ft drop cloths.
• Heated blanket 
• Fluorescent light, 2 metal ceiling plant hooks, chain, 2 hooks to attach to the light
• Plastic cups that will be used to germinate the seeds,a permanent marker for labeling and something to poke holes in the bottom
• Drip trays to hold the plastic cups (consider baking tins)
• Seed starting soil ... Do not use potting mix.
• A container large enough to mix water into the soil
• Seeds

Fluorescent light hanging from plant hooks in the ceiling.

Next, prepare you germination center!  

Instal the fluorescent light.  Install the metal plant hooks into the ceiling of your room.  Then, attach the light hooks to the metal chain. Now hang the fluorescent light so that it will be about 10 inches above the plastic cups. 

Plastic sheet over the heated blanket

Place the heated blanket over the table or the flat surface you are using.  Then, cover the blanket with one of the plastic sheets.

 

Mortgage Lifter Tomato seed cup

Now you are ready to begin planting.
You will need the soil, plastic cups, permanent maker, tool to poke holes in the cup, drip trays, water, and a container to mix the soil and your seeds.


First, prepare your plastic cups.  Poke holes in the bottom to allow excess water to drain out and with a permanent marker, write the name of the seed on the cup.

Jiffy seed starting soil

Now put soil in a container and mix in water.  Seed starting soil holds a lot of water so continue adding water until the mixture is saturated but not runny.

Filling cups with soil

Now fill the plastic cups with the soil until they are almost full and plant the seeds according to the packet's instructions. 

Seeds under the light and ready for plastic sheeting

Place the cups in the drip tray.  You are now ready to place your seeds under the fluorescent light to allow germination to start.


 
Cover the cups with the second plastic sheeting. Turn on the light and the electric blanket (to the highest or second to the highest setting).




 

Seeds ready for germination

Keep the light and blanket on day and night for best results.  Be sure to water the seeds according to the packet's instructions. 

Good luck!