Seed Starting Simplified: The Essential Indoor Setup for Beginners — Gardening, Herbs, Plants, and Product Reviews (2024)

FAQs

What herbs are best to start indoors from seed? ›

Thyme, rosemary, basil, sage, chives, and tarragon are great choices to start indoors. The seeds are very fine and take a fair amount of time to germinate. Oregano started by seed may not be true to the type of seed planted, and flavor will vary.

Peat moss, vermiculite, and lime are included in the mix. Together, they ensure that the soil is balanced. Plus, the properties of this starting mix promote healthy growth. Peat moss helps retain nutrients while providing aeration for the roots of plants.

Basil, oregano, mint, chives, sage, rosemary, and thyme are the easiest herbs to grow indoors, whether you have them in the garden already or wish to plant them now.

It's very possible to create an affordable seed starting setup without fancy equipment! You can successfully sprout seeds in things like egg cartons and yogurt cups. Soil for seed starting can be collected from your garden and baked so that it's sterile, and you can use inexpensive shop lights as grow lights.

Almost all seeds can be pre-soaked, but it is large seeds, seeds with thick coats and wrinkled seeds that will benefit most. Small seeds benefit less and are difficult to handle when wet. Examples of seeds that benefit from soaking include peas, beets, cucumber, corn, squash, pumpkin and beans.

Moisture Matters – After planting, water seeds with a gentle mist or shower. Avoid using a strong splash or spray, which can dislodge seeds. It is vital to keep soil consistently moist. In a sunny spot, this may mean watering twice a day.

However, for seeds to flourish into vibrant plants, they require the nurturing care facilitated by the right tools and environment. This is where seed starting kits come into play, serving as indispensable companions for both novice and seasoned gardeners alike.

Starting your own plants inside gives you a jumpstart on the growing season. You won't need to start seeds for every plant you want to grow inside, just for those plants that have a very short window during which they need to be planted outdoors and grown to maturity.

Can you start seeds in egg cartons? ›

Seeds can grow in just about anything that holds soil and allows for proper drainage. Using cardboard egg cartons is a great option because they are biodegradable, and you likely have a carton already in your fridge.

It is too dense for the job and contains weed seeds and possibly pathogens. If you grow a lot of seedlings and also do container gardening you might want to invest in a large bag or compressed bale of commercial soilless growing media. It is cheaper than buying the same amount in small quantities.

It's official: beans, peas, and pumpkins are among the top ten easiest plants to grow from seed, according to a list created by the Home Garden Seed Association. Also on the list: cucumbers, zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, lettuce, radishes, and squash.

Some seeds like Allium 'Purple Sensation' and Eryngium giganteum need a long period of cold-moist stratification with alternating temperatures. These are the most difficult seeds to germinate.

For herbs, it depends. If you just need a few basil leaves for caprese or a batch of pesto, buy a plant or two. But if you're like me, you can never have enough basil for pesto, freezing, and drying, so growing basil from seed is the best option. The same holds true for parsley.

Consider grouping cold-tolerant herbs such as lavender, parsley, rosemary, sage and thyme together which will continue to produce well into the fall. Fill the container partially full with a good quality, well-draining potting soil. Remove the herbs from their pots and loosen their roots.

Annual Herbs

Most annuals can be direct sown (though it won't hurt to start them indoors). Anise will germinate in 10-14 days and will be ready to enjoy in 120 days. Basil will germinate in 5-10 days, and be ready to enjoy in 60-90 days. Summer Savory will be ready in the first season.