A beginners guide to seed starting.
Let’s dig in to when you should start seeds. Timing the starting of your seeds is a critical skill that gardeners of all skill levels practice every year. New seed starters play by all of the rules, while seasoned seed starters push the limits! So what are the rules? Read your seed packets! Most seed companies will provide you with their recommendations for when to start your seeds. For example, a packet of summer crookneck squash may say start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost. Ok… well that is kind of helpful.
Why do I need to know my frost dates to start seeds?
This is the most important question of all! You must know YOUR frost dates to ensure that you are starting your seeds at the correct time! If you start seeds too early, the seedlings will grow too large before they can be planted outdoors. If you start seeds too late, you may not give the plants enough time to grow to maturity before the first frost kills them.
When are your first and last frosts? First, let’s establish your USDA Hardiness Zone. For people in the U.S., this can be found on the USDA website. While you don’t have to have your hardiness zone for this next step, knowing your hardiness zone will help you select the appropriate seeds for your area. Next, let’s look at the good ole Farmer’s Almanac to tell you what your first and last frost dates are predicted to be. Yes, I said predicted. This date is an average of the data collected from years prior.
Now that you know when…
How do you start your seeds for the upcoming gardening season? I have created a quick, basic seed starting guide for you to use. Now, dig in and prosper!
How to start seeds for your garden
Follow this quick guide to start seeds for your own garden.
Materials
- Seed starting media (peat moss, coconut coir, pitt moss, compost etc)
- Water
- Seeds
Tools
- Safe, warm space for starting seeds (ex. laundry room, kitchen, pantry, bathroom, etc.)
- Container for mixing Seed Starting Media
- Seed Starting Trays
- Humidity Dome, Plastic Wrap, or Burlap
- Seed Starting Warming Mat **OPTIONAL**
- Grow Lights **OPTIONAL**
Instructions
Mix your seed starting media with the 3-2-1 method.
- 3 parts sifted compost
- 2 parts sifted peat moss, coconut coir, or pitt moss
- 1 part sifted perlite
- Enough water to completely moisten the mixture
- Fill your seed starting trays with the pre-moistened seed starting media.
- Plant your seeds according to the depth specified on the packet. See Notes for trick to easily planting tiny seeds.
- Cover your tray with one of the following: humidity dome, plastic wrap, or burlap. My preference is a cut piece of light burlap.
- Place your seeds on the seed warming mat or in a warm location. Ideally between 65° and 75° F.
- Make a schedule to check your seed trays daily. Keep the soil moist, but not soaking wet. Once germination occurs in at least half of the tray, you can remove the humidity dome/plastic wrap/ burlap.
Notes
Place small seed in a small medal or glass bowl. Then use a moist toothpick to pick up the seed and place it in the soil.
I filled my seed pots today and plan to plant some seeds tomorrow!