by Sheri Fresonke Harper

Created on: March 14, 2009

Flowers galore at minimal cost is the dream of every gardener, but how to do it is the question every gardener must ask. The answer is seeds. Seeds can be obtained freely from many plants after blooming. Even Mother Nature relies on seeds to make new little plants, in fact, they are one of her best ideas. Yet, some people wonder if they have the time or patience to deal with all the mess. After you read this list of advantages for starting seeds indoor, you'll know you will want to try, too.

Seeds Started Indoors Have the Advantage of Not Facing Weather

The first warmth of spring often induces people to rush out and buy seeds and plant starts for the garden and they don't pay attention to planting times. Just because the air feels warm doesn't mean the dirt feels warm. The biggest advantage to starting seeds indoors is you can better protect your gardening efforts from the damages of weather.

Effects of Low Temperatures on Seed Starts

When seeds are planted in soil that is too cool, they will wait to germinate. If the temperature of the soil fluctuates sometimes warm enough sometimes not, the seed will likely germinate, start growth, then become stunted.

Effects of Too Much Rain on Seed Starts

Seeds watered by rain can get flooded away with the result that your neighbor enjoys the bounty of your seeds. Seeds started in too rainy weather may sit in a pool of water and bloat then rot. This doesn't make for a healthy plant. Seedlings planted with too much rain will likely rot or wither or get a fungus that stunts their growth.

Effects of Not Enough Light on Seed Starts

Seeds will start with low light or no light especially since many seeds need a covering of dirt to sprout. The damage begins when the light doesn't provide enough photosynthesis action to generate strong roots. Seedlings that start in an early spring warming period may die quickly when weather turns foul.

Effect of Birds and Other Wildlife on Seeds Started Outdoors

Birds eat seeds. You're likely to lose some of your crop to birds that eat the seeds before they are allowed to sprout. Those tender succulent first seedlings are the favorite food of deer, rabbits, squirrels, skunks, cutworms, slugs and other little creatures. Starting your seedlings indoors protects them until they are established enough to survive a little munching. Another advantage is you don't have to buy any chemical or other protection for your indoor seedlings.

Seeds Started Indoors Can Test the Environment at Low Cost

Lush new varieties of plants appear in the catalogs and gardeners can imagine just how beautiful they'll look. Yet, it is far easier to spend $3.00 for a packet of seeds and lose one or two plants than to lose an entire plant that costs $10.00.

Another advantage to starting seeds indoors is that you can have many little starts of annuals that fill in spots where your plants didn't make it. I've often been guilty of pulling out a weed, only to say, oops, that was one of your perennials. By having a supply of seedlings, I can fill in where my garden isn't lush and full. If you plant seeds outdoors, often, they do not like to be moved. A seedling grown in a small container eases the shock of replanting.

However you plant seeds, it is helpful to know that I've reduced my costs and increased the number of seedlings I get while protecting them until they are mature enough to survive. May 15th, average outdoors seed planting day is far away. Growing seeds indoors means you can begin now to have a beautiful garden.

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