Know How to Start Your Indoor Growing Right

KNOW HOW TO START YOUR INDOOR GROWING RIGHT


Top 10 Tips for Indoor Growing


Indoor gardening offers many benefits over buying seedlings from a nursery. You can start your plants when you want so you can be ready for planting dates in your area. With heirloom seeds, you can have varieties that fit your tastes. You can grow the number of plants that you choose. Although nursery seedlings are convenient, you are limited to the inventory in your area. Growing your own seedlings is often less expensive than using nursery plants. Plus, when you grow your own seedlings, you can indulge your gardening hobby even earlier and enjoy some plant therapy in the winter.


Plan Your Garden Before You Start



In order to develop indoor seedlings that will be ready when the ground is, you need to know what you intend to grow. Most packages of seeds will give you a range of when to start the seeds to be ready to plant after the last spring frost. It's up to you to determine that date for your area. Then, you'll have to count back. Leeks, onions, celery and some herbs take up to 10 weeks before you can plant them outside, while cucumbers, melons and squash can take around 4 weeks. Keep a journal about your seedlings to help you next year. If you're investing in your garden, you want to get the most out of your time and money.


Here are 10 tips for starting seedlings.


1. Have a Good Indoor Garden Location


Seedlings need at least 12 hours of light each day. You will likely need to have some supplemental lighting to have healthy plants. Ideally, the light should be about two inches above the seedlings. As the plants grow, the lights will need to be adjusted. Your seedlings need to be in a location that is 65°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C). A cold garage won't cut it.


2. Find Growing Containers


You can find small peat pots at a gardening center, but you can also use recycled containers, toilet paper rolls, or even cardboard egg cartons. You need to have a container with good drainage. If your containers are plastic, glass or metal, wash them in warm soapy water, then rinse well. Start with clean containers so that you don't contaminate the soil. Make sure to have trays to place the smaller containers in. You don't want water dripping all over your floor.


3. Get a Good Soil Mix


Choose a soil that is good for starting seeds. Don't reuse potting soil to start seedlings. You should start with fresh, clean soil that is slightly damp. Fill the containers and press the soil down gently to prevent air pockets.


4. Sow Seeds


The seed packet indicates how deep to sow each type of seed. Only sprinkle two to three seeds in each container. Label each one so you remember what plant is in which container. Once you cover the seeds with soil, mist the surface with water.



5. Water Your Seeds


As the seeds sprout, you need to keep the soil moist without overwatering. A mister or turkey baster works well. Too much water causes mold to grow and can drown the seeds.


6. Add Fertilizer At the Right Time


A sprouted seed gets nutrients from the endosperm to begin with. When the second set of leaves come in, you need to add fertilizer to help the plants grow strong. Use an organic fertilizer and follow the directions on the label.


7. Each Container Needs Only One Seedling


You may need to thin out some of the plants if you used more than one seed in each container. Choose the strongest plant and remove the others. Cut the unwanted seedlings at the base of the soil line. You won't disrupt the strongest seedling's growth this way. Some people like to transplant the extras, but it's very easy to damage the roots when transplanting, which could make you lose all the seedlings.


8. Upsize Your Containers


Some plants may outgrow small containers before the seedlings are ready to be planted outside. If the roots fill the container or if you have to continually water the seedlings, you may want to consider re-potting. Again, you can use recycled containers but wash them first.


9. Transition Seedlings to Outdoor Life


A few weeks before you plant the seedlings, you should let them get used to outdoor conditions. Your seedlings are used to a lot of light and heat. You want to gradually expose them to the outside so that they aren't shocked when they get their final home. During the first week of transitioning, shield the plants from the sun for a few hours each day by placing them in the shade. Increase sun exposure over time. Don't leave them out overnight, because they aren't tough enough to stand up to a frost.


10. Transplant Your Seedlings to Your Garden


Prepare your garden before transplanting the seedlings. Wait until you're sure that the frosts have passed before putting the plants outside. If you can plant the seedlings on a fair day without a lot of sun or wind, it gives them more time to adjust. Water the soil thoroughly before you plant and then again once the seedlings are in the garden. Don't overwater. The soil should be moist without being swampy.


Enjoy Your Garden


You may need to provide a little extra TLC to your seedlings once they are in your garden. Use mulch to protect the roots and keep water in the ground. Shade the seedlings from the hottest part of the day until you see new growth.


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