When I first started my garden a year ago I did a lot of research on how to do it, what equipment I needed, and when to do it. I found that most youtube channels and blogs over complicated the process and left me overwhelmed. There’s so many different sources out there with different methods and it left me with information overload. I live in zone 6a in Northeast Ohio. The most helpful information I got was from friends who were in my area who also garden. Read more below on how I start my seeds indoors.
How to find your gardening zone
Use the USDA plant hardiness zone map type in your address and it will show you a color chart with the zones. Super easy.
My seed starting method
The way I start seeds is superrrr easy. This is how I do it. I buy the seeds I need (or re-use last years) and I look on the back on the packet and read if it needs to be started indoors or not. Most seeds will say start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Click here to find out your zones last frost date. This year I started my seeds a little bit late. It’s late march so my seeds will have about 6 weeks to germinate and start indoors. 6 weeks is plenty of time though, especially with my germination mat I have to speed up the process. I don’t start one set of seeds one week, then another the next, then another the next, and so forth. I start them all at the same time. The only seeds I don’t start indoors are, cucumber, zucchini, cilantro, romaine, potatoes, garlic. I’m sure there’s others but out of what I plant those are what I directly sow into the soil.
Do I have to start seeds indoors?
The short answer is no. You don’t have to. BUT if you live in a colder zone like I do and if you want multiple harvest, or to harvest anything in your garden before August you will have to. I start mine indoors to make sure I can enjoy my garden earlier into the summer.
Equipment needed for seed starting
- Seeds (obviously) you can buy seeds anywhere. Local nursery, home depot, drug mart!! haha seriously anywhere in the late winter/early spring
- Seed starting tray kit – this is the one I used this year, but theres smaller ones.
- Germination mat Not necessary but if you want to speed up germination get one.
- Grow lights such as this one also not necessary, but if you don’t have a large window with light pouring onto your seeds, you will need one. If you plan on keeping your seeds in a dark space, you need some.
- Spray bottle to water them- I think this is important especially those first few weeks when nothing had sprouted yet. It’s important to water them gently so the seeds aren’t driven to the top with a heavy water pour.
Preparing your seedlings for the garden
When the last frost has passed and it’s time to move your seedlings to the garden outside there’s a certain preparation you have to do; you can’t just plant them into the ground immediately. You have to harden them off. What is hardening off you ask? It’s getting your seedlings acclimated to the outdoors. The process of hardening off starts with putting your seedlings outside where they are exposed to the wind and sun. On the first day of this just put them outside for around 30 minutes, then the next day for an hour, then each day after that add on an hour to the time they are out there. Exposing them to the wind will cause them to grow an even stronger root system and make them more resilient. You can do this artificially indoors with a fan pointed at them, but I just like to do it outside. You also can start this process before the last frost date so when that day comes you don’t waste any time getting them into the ground. As long as it’s above 40 degrees Fahrenheit they will be fine staying outside for a few hours.
Takeaways/tips for seed starting
- Start them indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date
- You can start with minimal equipment- seeds, soil, and the seed starting tray
- Water gently with a spray bottle until they are established
- Harden them off before planting into the ground
Seed Starting Video
Watch me do this process over on my youtube channel!
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