One reason that people start seeds indoors is so they can get a jump start on the gardening season.
This is especially good to do if you live in a region with short growing seasons. It will give you a few more weeks of growing time. The question is which seeds are the easiest to start indoors.
Why Start Plants From Seeds Indoors.
In addition to getting a head start on the growing season, it is generally cheaper to start plants from seeds if you are going to grow a lot of them. When buying plants from a nursery, sometimes they are grown nicely while others are poor quality. When growing your plants from seeds you can have control over how it is grown. Some nurseries have a wide variety of plants while others do not so when you use seeds you have more variety.
Things to Consider Before you Start Growing Seeds
The first thing you need to do is know just what you want to grow to make sure that you have enough pots or containers in which to grow them. If you are starting your seeds in late winter you might consider getting a grow light because most of the time, for seedlings to grow you will need 6-8 hours of direct sunlight. The grow light will also help to keep the seedlings from being too leggy.
Make sure that the containers you use are clean. You can get peat pots, seedling flats, and other growing containers but egg cartons you already have make good containers to start growing seedlings. If you use these, make sure that you are poking holes near the bottom in the sides. This is to let any excess water come out. Before moving your plants to the garden you may have to transplant them to a bigger container so you need to keep this in mind, especially if you are starting them in egg cartons.
Be sure that you label your containers so you know what you have planted. This can be frustrating trying to transplant them outdoors and you are not sure what you are transplanting. You should fill your containers with a moistened potting mix that is made for growing seedlings but not regular potting soil as it may not be fine enough for the seedlings to push through.
5 Easiest Vegetable Seeds to Start Indoors
1. Cauliflower
Although it depends on the variety, most cauliflower plants are slow-growing. Start the seeds 4-6 weeks before the average spring planting date for your area.
2. Brussels Sprouts
These do take a long time to grow from seeds so make sure that you start them 4-6 weeks before you want to transfer the plant to your garden. If you decide that you want to plant them outside, you can do it in early spring but you have to protect them from freezing.
3. Tomatoes
This is one of the easiest seeds to start indoors. You can plant them 6-8 weeks before the average last frost. Do not plant the seedlings in the garden until the chance of frost is gone and the soil is warm.
4. Okra
This is a fun plant to grow indoors. You should plant the seeds 4-6 weeks before it is safe to re-plant them in the garden. Soak the seeds for 12-24 hours before you plant them for better germination.
5. Peppers
This is another easy plant to start growing indoors from seeds. Plant them about 8-12 weeks before the last frost date. Do not transplant the seedlings in the garden until it is warm. Their growth can be stunted if it is too cold.
5 Easiest Flower Seeds to Start Indoors
6. Marigold
These are really super easy flowers to grow indoors. They can help to deter pests from the garden and attract pollinators. Start the seeds 8-10 weeks before the average planting date in the spring.
7. Castor Bean
Although these can be a bit fussy to get started growing, it is easier to start them indoors and then transplant them outdoors. Once they sprout, the seedlings will grow fast. Plant the seeds about a month before you want to move them outdoors.
8. Coleus
This is one of the best plants to grow from seed indoors. The reason is that these are tiny seeds and they could be washed away if you plant them straight into the garden. They do take a long time to mature from seeds so plant them 8-10 weeks before they can be transplanted outside.
Also read: How to Prevent Mold & Algae on Seedlings
9. Zinnia
This is a plant that does not tolerate cold so that is why you should start growing them indoors in early spring. They should be planted 4-5 weeks before the last frost date.
10. Sweet Alyssum
The seeds may germinate in as little as four days. They mature quickly to produce lots of tiny fragrant flowers. You should start the growing process five or six weeks before the last frost. You will not need to cover the seeds. Sow them thickly and press them lightly into the soil using your finger. Until the plants germinate, you can use a spray bottle to keep the seedbed moist.
Tips for Growing Vegetables From Seeds
Before starting to grow vegetables from seeds, you should consider how each one grows. For example, carrots, beets, and other root vegetables to not like having their roots disturbed so they should be planted outdoors instead of transplanting them later. Vegetables like peppers and tomatoes are susceptible to the cold so start them indoors to keep them from unpredictable weather.
More like this: How to Debug Plants Before Bringing Them Indoors
Conclusion
Growing your own plants from seeds can be rewarding and fun. When you are just starting out, choose ones that are easiest to do. As you become more experienced, you can try planting seeds that are a bit more difficult to grow plants from. One important thing to remember is not to start your seeds too early because you could have plants that need to be transplanted into the garden and the weather is not right, such as it could be unpredictable weather or too cold.
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Victoria is the owner and main author of hobby plants. She loves spending her free time in her garden planting and taking care of her plants. Victoria hopes you enjoy the content here!
