And then, use a spray bottle to spray to make sure the seeds are nice and moist. Even trays that absorb water from the bottom benefit from a lid so the surface doesn't dry out and harden. This will help to keep a consistent moisture level. Starting seeds too early, you may need to“shift up” – or move the baby plants to larger pots to allow for more root growth. In our area the average date of last frost is Mother’s Day. From the seed starting shelves, the seedlings graduate to one of our greenhouses . Just make sure there is drainage at the bottom. Water when necessary. Here’s what you need to get started: Seeds (non-GMO and organic recommended) Starter pots – You can use peat pots, recycled containers, or even leftover eggshells. STEP 1: To start seeds in trays, sprinkle the seeds evenly over the surface of your moistened medium. Although some types of seeds are best sown directly in the garden, many annuals and vegetables, especially frost-sensitive ones that require a long growing season, are ideal for starting indoors and transplanting out once the weather warms. Seed Raising Mix. The ideal temperature for starting seeds indoors is about 67 degrees F, give or take a few degrees. Air (oxygen in the soil). Cover the plant pots or trays with plastic wrap and place them on the bottom shelf of a refrigerator. This helps keep the seeds moist before they germinate. Vigorous plants started indoors flower sooner and produce an earlier harvest than plants started outdoors. RENEWABILITY: Some seed starting solutions may seem simple and affordable at first glance. How to Sow Seeds in a Milk Jug. Place 2-3 seeds into each hole and gently cover making sure seeds have contact with the seed starting mixture. I had started many of my seeds in old containers for cheese or yogurt and sour cream all of which lined the south facing windows to get sun and warmth. 2) Seedling Starting Pots & Trays . Hardy Annuals are already sprouted outdoors in underbed containers w/drainage holes and covered in plastic with vent holes. Check your seed trays daily for germination, mist with water if the soil surface has dried out, and wait for seeds to … Leave alone for 30 days. Many flowers and vegetables may be started from seeds indoors. Then read each seed packet to learn how many weeks before the last frost date the seeds should be sown and when they should be planted outside. Use either a soilless seed starting mix or an potting mix that has been sifted to remove any large chunks of bark, twigs or rocks and has been amended with perlite, vermiculite or, ideally, sphagnum moss. If possible, use a heating mat placed under the tray for faster germination. Moisture (to soften the coat of the seed and form roots). There was some debate about methodology here—some prefer to use a small screw driver to make the a hole to put the seed in. Grow my beauties, grow! Starting seeds indoors helps you get a jump on the spring garden when the weather isn’t yet warm enough, but some plants are a better option than others for starting indoors. Many experts feel that planting in plug trays is better than open trays because the plug cells hold and retain more moisture and warmth for the developing seed. Feb 25, 2013 - Learn how to grow your favorite vegetables and flowers from seeds as well as how and when to plant seeds at HGTV.com. For seeds to germinate, most must be kept warm: about 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. 1. I’ve tested them all, and my two favorites for both annual and perennial seeds are the 72-cell and 50-cell flats. Seedlings are said to like about 3" depth of germinating soil. Cell trays come in numerous sizes, so choosing can be a little overwhelming. Most plants will grow roots out the drain hole within a week of sprouting. Once the seeds go in the planting containers by the sink, I set up seedling trays on my seed starting shelves. When you plant in seed trays, you eventually have to prick out seedlings to repot them into their own spaces. Drop 1 or 2 seeds into each hole. You'll get the best results by starting seeds in a mix formulated for starting seeds indoors, such as our exclusive Organic Seed Starting … Set freshly sown trays into a plastic tub with an inch (2.5 cm) of water in the bottom and let them soak up the water from below. Keeping Seeds Too Cool . Seed Trays or Containers Whether you want to use seed trays or containers is going to depend on the type of seeds you’re starting and how many you can stand to lose. In single cell trays, only one or two seeds is planted per cell. ----- Starting in Cells I've used 1020 trays with 72 cells. Seeds of certain species, however, are best sown directly outdoors when weather conditions permit and are actually delayed by transplanting.Growing plants from seeds can be a rewarding hobby and also allows home gardeners … Our favorites are described below. Some seeds need to be started sooner than others. You can also sit the containers on top of a warm spot such as the refrigerator. Starting seeds can be super cheap or maybe a little more costly, depending on what method you choose. Or, you can purchase seed-warming mats to place under the seed trays. Seed starting trays with dome lids help maintain a constant desirable humidity level that helps many types of plants grow from seeds. Remove once the soil surface is … For instance, you’ll need to start your onion seeds in January (depending upon where you live) but won’t need to start your tomatoes and peppers until the end of February or early March.. Knowing when to start your seeds is number one on our list of seed starting tips, as it is that important. Using a seed tray with a greenhouse-style cover works well too. Place the trays in a warm location near a heat source, on top of a refrigerator, or use a seedling heat mat.