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Sowing your seeds indoors has many benefits.
Sowing seeds indoor can be crucial in certain plant hardiness zones where the growing season is shorter. Having lived in zone 9a for most of our lives, there was never a need to start seeds indoors. However, it still would have been beneficial for many reasons. But, since relocating to zone 7a, we have learned that starting seeds indoors is essential to our progress. Starting seeds indoors gives the grower freedom along with various opportunities. So let’s get into it!
Sowing seeds indoors may seem haunting but, it is actually very easy.
You just need to find a location that best suits your available space and lifestyle. Some folks decide to start their seeds by a window which is sometimes successful. However, even if the window is south facing, your seedlings may still need more light. So, if it is possible, try to find a place where you can setup some grow lights. Excuses about not having space is not an option. Get creative because, you can do this anywhere if you are motivated.
Table of Contents
- Sowing your seeds indoors has many benefits.
- Sowing Seeds Indoors
- Things you may need:
- Grow Lights
- Airflow
- Watering
- When it is time to transition to the outside world
- Which container is right?
- Plant Hardening Schedule
- Day 1-
- Day 2-
- Day 3 & Beyond-
Sowing Seeds Indoors
Things you may need:
Grow Light Fixtures
Grow Lights
Grow Lights
This is where things can get difficult and overwhelming if you allow it to. Search for grow lights on amazon or big box stores like Lowes or Home Depot. Get a metro shelf or some other sort of way so that the seed trays have somewhere to rest and the lights can hang above the trays. Set your shelving to the proper height.
Proper height?
Set your shelves higher than you think. Setting the shelves higher will give you the needed wiggle room while your seedlings grow, so that you can raise the lights as they grow. These small steps will give the seedlings a strong foundation before they are ready to go out into the world. Small S-hooks and light duty chain can be used to fasten your lights. This will allow you to adjust the height of the lights as your plants mature.
Keeping lights about 2 inches from the growth of your tender plants is important. This will not only give them the best light, but will also provide a small amount of heat. Many growers use heat mats under the growing trays but, I have never had a use for them. Be sure to get a timer to set the amount of time that the lights are on.
I set my timer to 14-16 hours each day. Incorporating a timer offers freedom of your time so that you will not need to remember when to turn lights on and off every morning and evening. It is good to set your lights to turn on around sunrise and off around or after sunset. Since the lights will be on 14-16 hours they will not turn off right at sunset. This is perfectly fine. We just want to mimic nature the best we can. This timing will give your plants a chance to acclimate to natural sunlight when they are ready to step into nature.
Airflow
When your seedlings are getting a bit taller, go ahead and put a fan on them if you have one. Fans are cheap. Does not need to be anything special. Just something to offer some airflow. This will help to keep your plants strong and will help with potential mildew on top of the soil. If you notice your seedlings getting leggy, this is due to lack of airflow and lack of proper lighting not being close enough.
Watering
Watering can get tricky if you let it. Having multiple trays of plants with the tiny cells, one could wonder how to water them efficiently without washing the soil out of the small cells. A good practice is to bottom water. Bottom watering is as easy as taking one cell out and filling the tray with water. Fill it about halfway. The seedlings will absorb as much water as they need. Be sure to check the water level after a few hours.
If there is still water left, you will need to empty it out. I like to get an empty tray and transfer the cells to the empty tray and then dump the water or keep the water for the next watering. Check your seedlings daily if they need water. But, do not overwater. Usually you can tell if they need water by simply touching the soil or noticing the color of the soil. When your soil is light in color, chances are it is time to water. After you water, and the soil in your cells have absorbed the amount of water they need, observe the color of the soil and the weight of the tray. Well hydrated soil is dark in color and the tray will be heavier. After some experience you will have a knack for knowing when your precious seedlings are thirsty.
What Type of Water to Use for sowing seeds indoor?
Use water that is free of chlorine. These youngsters are not strong enough to live with toxic chlorine. I know I know I know. Most of us are on city water, and the toxicity of our tap water is absurd. But wait! There is a simple solution. Save your milk or water jugs. Fill them with your nasty tap water. Leave the cap off for 24-48 hrs. And the chlorine will mostly be gone. I will not get into all the other toxins in our tap water in this post.
On our farm, we have an extra water trough available. We simply fill the trough and we have “usable” water for quite some time that does not have all the chlorine in it.
When it is time to transition to the outside world
Well now that you have put in due diligence to have healthy seedlings, lets take the proper steps to have them strong and ready to be planted into your garden beds.
Just keep in mind, if your starts outgrow the starter cells and it is too early to move them outside, due to potential frost, you will need to transfer them into a larger container until they are ready for proper weather conditions.
Which container is right?
I just use solo cups and put drainage holes in the bottom. A wood burner pen makes great use of time, minus the fumes coming off of burnt plastic. There is a transition period that you should pay close attention to. This transition period is known as hardening off your seedlings. If you follow these steps, your seedlings will be set for success. Before you move to the hardening off stage, be sure that your seedlings have two to three sets of true leaves. If you are not familiar with what true leaves are, you can read about it in our previous article.
Plant Hardening Schedule
Day 1-
Take your tenders out and place them in the shade or partial shade for 2 hours. After 2 hours put them back under the grow lights.
Day 2-
Take them back outside and add two more hours. So today they will be out for four hours.
Day 3 & Beyond-
Everyday leave them out for an additional 2 hours and always return them back to the grow lights when the time is up. After doing this for a week or so, they are ready for transplanting into their beds. As long as all potential frosts have passed for the season.
Cheers to you for finding the patience and taking the time to harden off your seedlings and not setting them up for failure by just taking them out when they are not ready. You will see better results and you will gain confidence in your growing journey.
This, my friends, is all you need to take full control of your growing experience. Delivering nutrient dense food to you, your family and friends. Saving money and growing the specific varieties that you prefer and thrives in your growing zone.
Until next time…
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