Starting Seeds Indoors

Now is the time to sow seeds indoors for a Mach planting and the garden centers have many trays and assortments of containers available.  In addition, it is recommended that commercial soil be bought and used--not soil from the garden.  I have found it easier, less expensive, and less time consuming to wait and get transplants from garden centers than trying to start seeds indoors.

But if you like to give it a go, you will need clean containers, sterile media, seeds, and a sunny location.

The garden soil is the most important aspect of the indoor seed starting.  The reason your own garden soil should not be used is that it may carry diseases, bacteria, and weed seeds.

Another disadvantage is drainage.  Your own garden soil has a tendency to become heavy and packed after a few water sprinklers and that is hard on tender roots.

With a commercial soil mix, you have more control.  The soil is lighter and fluffier, and free of diseases.  It may contain peat moss, perlite, and/or vermicelli.

To start, place the media, soil, within 1/2 inch of the surface of the seed tray, press lightly, and moisten.  Then follow direction for planting depth on the seed packet.

Usually, a planting tray comes with a plastic see-through cover. Cover the seeds to keep them moist and warm.  As soon as the seedlings emerge, remove the cover.

Another aspect of growing seeds indoors is lighting.  The seeds and seedlings need at least 6 hours of natural or artificial light to grow.

I do believe that the prudent thing for me is to wait until later in the spring to buy plants from the garden centers and transplant them into my garden.

Thank you for visiting my blog.