When it comes to starting and growing great vegetable and flower plants from seed indoors – it all comes down to avoiding some of the most common mistakes that gardeners often make when they try to start seeds inside of their home.
From seeds that fail to germinate, to fragile seedlings that wither away, or ones that produce spindly, unhealthy plants that are unable to handle outdoor conditions, the process of starting seeds indoors can be discouraging for many. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Especially when you can avoid 3 of the biggest seed starting mistakes that cause a big majority of the issues.
Starting seeds indoors doesn’t have to be a struggle. In fact, by simply adopting a handful of proven techniques, the task becomes surprisingly straightforward – and incredibly satisfying when it comes time for planting day and you have large, robust and healthy plants ready for the outdoors!
With seedling success in mind – here is a look at 3 common seed starting miscues to avoid – along with a few simple tips that will have you growing great plants from seed!
How To Avoid The 3 Biggest Seed Starting Mistakes Gardeners Make When Starting Seeds Indoors
1. Growing Seedlings In A Window
The biggest mistake gardeners make when starting vegetable or flower seeds indoors is relying on a sunny windowsill for light. It might seem like a good idea, but it almost always leads to poor results.
Seedlings will grow quickly toward the sunlight, but the problem is they grow too fast. And in the process, they become very weak. The light coming through a window isn’t close enough or strong enough. That is because during winter, there isn’t enough sunlight for long enough periods to grow healthy seedlings.
As a result, seedlings grow tall, thin, and fragile. They often lean sideways as they stretch toward the far away light. And – even if you keep turning them, they won’t grow properly. Once those seedlings get outdoors, they just don’t have enough stem strength to hold up to the slightest winds or rainfall.
The Best Way To Give Plants Light
The best way to grow strong, healthy seedlings indoors is to use artificial light. Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean you need expensive grow lights. Simple, affordable LED or fluorescent shop lights will do the trick. Affiliate Link: BOUNDER 4 Pack Linkable LED Utility Shop Light
Position the lights just an inch or two above the seedlings and leave them on for 10 to 12 hours a day. This will help your plants grow slowly and steadily. More importantly, it will produce strong, sturdy, fully developed seedlings.
To use shop lights, you can use a shelving system to hang your lights from, or simply place shop lights on bricks or blocks to keep them at the right height above your seedlings as they grow. All you need to make sure of is that your lights are right above your plants – and they will grow strong, straight and healthy!
2. Using Ordinary Potting Soil To Start Seeds – The 3 Biggest Seed Starting Mistakes
Although ordinary potting soil might sound perfect for starting seeds indoors – it’s not. Nor is using regular topsoil or even soil from your garden or raised beds. When starting seeds indoors, to ensure healthy success, you need to use a soil that is specific for allowing seeds to germinate and grow fast.
The first six to eight weeks are critical for seedlings, and using the right soil ensures they get the energy and nutrients they need to thrive.
Seed starting soil needs to be lightweight, full of nutrients, and drain easily. Obviously, garden and topsoil are simply too heavy for that. But so is regular potting soil – and all too often – that is the soil of choice for many when they start their seedlings.
For More Great Seed Starting Info – Listen In To Our Podcast Below On The Secret To Starting Seeds Indoors!
So where can you get seed starting soil? You can often find it in local nursery or garden centers – or online. There are several great options for purchase – the real key to success is to find a soil that is ultra-lightweight and full of nutrient laden materials like compost or worm castings. Affiliate Link: Back to the Roots Organic Seed Starting Soil
You can also create your own seed-starting mix at home using potting soil as a base. The easiest way is to mix equal parts of worm castings, screened compost, and perlite. The worm castings and compost lighten the mix and power it up. The perlite, meanwhile, helps to keep the soil from compacting together.
The blend will give your seedlings everything they need to grow strong and healthy – and have them ready for the outdoors as well! See our article: How To Make Homemade Seed Starting Soil – Create Perfect Soil To Grow Great Plants!
3. Starting Seeds At The Wrong Time – The 3 Biggest Seed Starting Mistakes
Last but not least, you need to make sure you are starting your seeds indoors at the right time. Unfortunately, planting at the wrong time happens all too often – but it’s easy to avoid with just a little planning!
If you start seeds too early, seedlings can grow too large and outgrow their space well before it’s time to move them outside. On the other hand, starting too late can leave your seedlings too small and too weak to transplant. That often reduces both their chance of survival and productivity.
So, when is the right time to start seeds indoors? It depends on your area’s average last frost date. Once you know that, simply count back the number of weeks each type of seed needs to grow before transplanting.
Most vegetables and flowers require about six to eight weeks, but you should always check your seed packet. Nearly every seed packet includes information on when to start seeds and how long they take to reach transplant size.
And on the subject of seeds – always make sure you are planting fresh seeds. Seeds that have been around for too many years will germinate with far less frequency. Even worse, they also can have far less strength and productivity as they mature. Affiliate Link: Assorted Vegetable & Herb Seed Packets
Here is to avoiding the three biggest seed starting mistakes commonly made by gardeners. And even more – to growing great transplants for your garden and flowerbeds this year!
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This Is My Garden is a garden website created by gardeners, for gardeners. Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books and speaking for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. They publish three articles every week, 52 weeks a year. Sign up today to follow via email, or follow along!