Learning how to start a garden from seeds does not have to be difficult at all. With a little consistent, some attention to detail, and great lighting, you can go from seeds to harvest in a matter of no time!
It’s so important to research your gardening zone to find out what plants grow well in your area and when you can start to growing. Rule of thumb is start seedlings 6 weeks before your last frost date. If you aren’t aware of when your last frost date will be or what gardening zone you are in, try this link. Knowing ahead of time what works and doesn’t work will ensure you are creating a gardening space destined for success.
Once you figure out what grows well in your area, create a list of what you would like to grow. Keeping in mind what you plan to use your garden for will help you narrow down what to grow as well. Herb gardens and veggie gardens have some really good beginner friendly plants such as mint, basil, oregano, lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers that typically grows well everywhere.
After discovering what you will grow, plan where will you grow it. There are so many options such as container gardens, raised garden beds, in ground, etc. This is usually determined based on what your lifestyle is. For example, apartment lovers usually opt for tower gardens or container gardens. Rural residents can do more with their space and use raised garden beds. Choose what’s best for you and adjust!
Here is a shopping list of what you will need to get started. I’ve mentioned tons of times on social media, I usually spend less that $10 to start my veggie garden. Luckily, you can too by purchasing through Amazon here. As you gain more knowledge about growing, you”ll find that you can play around with different options on how to create compost, DIY germination stations, and etc, but for now – these items are perfect for newbies!
Begin with filling containers with soil created just for seed starting.
Before adding seeds, moist the soil with warm water – I like to use a mist bottle.
Add seeds in each tray cell according to how the package says. Some packages say push the seed down to the middle of the cell (mainly larger seeds), others encourage burying the seeds slightly below the soil. Either method, it is important that the seed is NOT packed in the soil, but is loosely surrounded by soil. For insurance, I usually add 2-3 seeds per cell. When they sprout I separate or snipe the neighboring seed.
Label each cell with stickers or popsicle stick as you plant.
Cover the seedling tray with the plastic cover and let set in an environment where the temperature will be warm as 70-78 degrees. Fancy germination kits come with a heating pad, but I like to set my seedlings in an area where the bottom will be naturally heated such as on top on a refrigerator.
Watch your seedlings sprout!
Once, your seedlings sprout, remove the cover (or the seedlings with sprout so tall and remove the cover for you!) and prepare to move them to individual pots filled with potting mix. This step is optional depending on the size of your cells. I used smaller trays so I normally have to move my seedlings. Large trays with larger cells don’t normally need to. You will make this move once the seedlings get their SECOND pair of leaves. Water well with a misting bottle and keep out of direct sunlight.
Maintain by misting with water
Add liquid fertilizer as recommended for each veggie/herb/plant
Keep this regimen for at least 6 weeks then prepare to transplant outside
Use a process called “hardening off” that will help prep your new plants acclimate to it’s new environment
About a week before you plan to set the seedlings into the garden, place them in a protected spot outdoors (partly shaded, out of the wind) for a few hours then bringing them in at night.
Gradually, over 10 days, expose them to more and more sunshine and wind
On day 10, transplant your plants into it new home (containers, garden bed etc) with space to grow and BOOM, you just started your first garden!
***This article was originally created 9/27/18,but has been updated since.Â
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