by Diane Perez

Created on: July 25, 2009

The most important step to starting seedlings indoors is planning. Approximately 3 months before the last frost date decide what types of plants you want to grow. Your list may include a flower garden for the front of the house, a kitchen garden containing favorite vegetables and herbs in the backyard, a container rose garden on the patio, or trellised vines for privacy around bedroom windows. Walk around the yard and take note of the pattern of sunny areas and shady areas, the type of soil, and any areas with poor drainage. This will help you to decide which varieties of seeds will grow best in your various gardens. Then, order the seeds from your favorite catalog. Purchasing fresh seeds every year will ensure a high rate of germination.

While you are waiting for the seeds to arrive, start to gather all of the supplies that will be needed. You will need potting flats or other containers, stones for drainage, potting soil or other growing medium, and fluorescent lights. Commercial potting soil is much better than backyard soil for starting seedlings indoors as it does not have weed seeds or slugs.

Set up the seedling nursery two months before the last frost date. Choose an area that has at least some natural sunlight. Now decide whether you will be raising the fluorescent lights as the seedlings grow taller or if the lights will be stationary and the plants will be lowered. If the plants will be lowered, the easiest way to do this is to place the potting flats on top of old books. Then remove the books as the seedlings grow closer to the light bulbs.

Put some stones in the bottom of each potting flat. Drainage is very important so do not skip this step. Add the potting soil and fill to the top. Then soak the containers thoroughly, and allow it to drain, before planting any seeds. Read each seed packet to determine if the seeds need shady conditions to sprout or if they need 7 to 9 hours of light every day from the very beginning. The packet will also explain if the seeds should be planted directly in the soil (such as tomato seeds) or if they should first be sprouted in water (such as lima beans).

Make a hole for each seed. As a general rule, the hole should be 4 times deeper than the width of the seed. For example, if a tomato seed is 1/16 inch wide, then the hole should be 1/4 inch (4/16) deep. However, always read the recommendations on the seed packet because there are exceptions.

All of the seedlings, regardless of how they were sprouted, need at least 7 hours of light every day. Some plants may need as much as 10 hours of light. As the seedlings grow taller, it will be necessary to adjust the height of the lights so that they do not get burned. Fertilize the plants when they have 3 or 4 leaves. Invest in a good quality liquid fertilizer to encourage the development of healthy plants.

Start hardening off the plants about 7 to 10 days before they will be planted in the outdoor beds. The best way to do this is to put the plants outside for a few hours each day. Start them in a shady area and move to sunnier locations as the week progresses. Do not leave the plants outside after sunset. Also, bring them inside if the temperature will be in the low 40's. After the plants are hardy, transplant them into their beds and enjoy your lovely garden.

Learn more about this author, Diane Perez.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.