Seed Starting -Sowing Seeds Indoors

STARTING SEEDS INDOORS
Throughout late winter and early spring start seeds indoors.

Step 1 Getting started:
Collect the supplies listed above.
Double check all containers you have chosen have adequate drainage to prevent
water logged roots. A variety of containers is ideal. Some plants don't like to be
disturbed when transplanted therefore single cell packs are great for the sensitive
plants.
The soil chosen for seed starting should be loose and airy. This allows for air and room
which the seeds need to germinate and grow strong roots. Many home and garden
centers carry seed starting soil mixtures.

Step 2   Filling containers with soil:
Fill the containers loosely with soil and then add water to the soil mixture till good and
damp. Make sure to moisten soil before adding your seeds! This prevents the seed
from getting drained to one side from a heavy watering.

Step 3   Sowing the seeds:
When you have chosen the seeds you want to sow, read the seed packets information
on how deep to plant the seed in the soil mixture. Follow the seed packet's sowing
guide. This is important because, different size seeds need different planting depths,
and some seeds need light to germinate; therefore certain seeds shouldn't have any
soil covering them.
Always sow seeds thinly. You don't want the seedlings to be overcrowded causing weak
growth and spindly seedlings.

Step 3   Watering:
After setting seeds at the right depth I like to give them a misting with a spray bottle.
Always keep the seeds damp. Don't allow the soil to dry completely out. Again, I like to
use a spray bottle which allows for a light sprinkling on the soil that won't disturb the
seeds, while keeping the seeds damp but not drenched!

Step 5   Keep containers in a warm area:
Place the containers in a warm place. I use a sunny window sill. Usually a
south facing window is great for a heat source in the winter and early spring.

Step 6   Light source for seedlings:
When your seeds sprout they need light. I use the window with the most light and heat.
Place trays in the sunbeam for a great source of light. Some gardeners like to use grow
lights for a light source, these can be found at local home and garden centers.
Remember heat and light will dry out soil faster. Always keep evenly moist.

Step 7   Transplant seedlings to larger pots:
After the seedlings have produced a second pair of leaves known as their 'true leaves'
transplant them into a larger pot. This will provide more room for growth. Again good
drainage is important. Fill pots loosely with fresh soil. Moisten soil first before
transplanting. Now it is time to remove seedling from the growing trays. I use a fork to
remove the seedling. Gently trying to keep some soil attached to roots ease out
seedlings. Place seedling into pot and then fill around root loosely with more fresh soil
till it is full to the original soil height it was at before transplanting.

Step 8   Caring for seedlings:
Continue to keep seedlings moist in a warm, and sunny place till more true leaves have
grown. You can feed the seedlings at this point with a house hold plant food. Follow
instructions provided on the plant food you are going to use. Don't over feed!

Step 9   Hardening off seedlings:
The seedlings need to slowly adjust to the outdoors before transplanting them in your
garden. Stop feeding seedlings a couple of weeks before hardening off. I start
hardening off my seedlings when the risk of frost has past. To begin, place seedlings in
a sheltered area outside in the daytime and bring back indoors for the night. Over a
week to two weeks let the seedlings slowly stay outside longer each evening. This will
gradually lead them up to staying outside all night without shock. After one to two
weeks of hardening off is done you can transplant your seedlings into the garden.

Step 10   Transplant outdoors and enjoy:
Transplant the seedlings into their new homes. To prevent added stress to
transplanting, keep plants moist during the transition period so plants can grow healthy
and strong.

Be proud and enjoy the beautiful flowers your seedlings have grown into!