Congratulations! You're here, I'm so excited for you! That means you're ready to up your gardening game by starting your own seeds. It's easy, you've got this. I think. I don't really know you.
Here's how to do it.
Honestly? Starting your own seeds to grow into seedlings isn't very complicated. You stick a seed in dirt and wait.
Are there a few tricks? Sure. But for the most part you stick a seed in dirt.
It's actually the easiest part of gardening. Keeping the thing alive for the next 4-6 months is where the skill comes in.
Table of Contents
How to Plant Vegetable Seeds
(The Quick Version)
The super-fast rundown is this.
- Wet your soil first and fill seed starting trays or pots with it.
- Press a seed into the top of the soil.
- Cover the trays with something to keep the humidity in while the seed germinates.
- Once sprouted, remove the humidity dome and put the plant under grow lights.
- Water when necessary and raise grow light heights when necessary.
That's all there is to starting your own seeds at home. That and washing your hands a lot. Here's my DIY on how to make foaming hand soap because everything is more fun when it's FROTHY.
If you live in a colder climate like I do in Southern Ontario (Zone 6), where the growing season is a bit shorter than elsewhere, you have to get a head start on your plants.
The advantage to starting your own seedlings is you can grow varieties of vegetables you just can't get in a nursery.
Like red fife wheat!
Supply list
- Soilless mix
- Seed starting trays
- Humidity dome
- Seeds
SOILLESS MIX looks like potting soil, but it isn't.
Made up of coco coir or peat moss mixed with perlite or vermiculite. Used specifically for starting seeds.
SEED STARTING TRAYS are flats of multi holed trays. Each hole in a tray holds a small amount of soil for starting seeds.
A DRIP TRAY is set under the seed starting tray and catches water and dirt.
A HUMIDITY DOME is a clear cover that holds in much needed moisture for the germination phase of starting seeds. They are removed as soon as the seeds sprout.
SEEDS These just happen to be some of the brand new seeds I'm starting this year - If you're always looking for something fun and new to grow you should have a look.
The least expensive trays and domes I could find (at this moment in time where a head of lettuce is $9) are listed below.
SEED STARTING kit for beginners from AMAZON Canada
SEED STARTING kit for beginners on AMAZON US
Try your local hardware store FIRST. There's a very good chance they have seed starting trays and humidity domes there. If not, search for them on Amazon.
HEAT MATS aren't mandatory, but they're very helpful for germinating seeds & growing on other heat loving plants like luffa or tomatoes. If you're curious about growing loofah sponges this is how I do it.
GROW LIGHTS are the most confusing element of starting plants indoors. You only need them to grow on the seedlings - not to start them.
(There are a few exceptions with seeds that DO require light to germinate. So check your seed packet.)
If you don't want to spend the money on or can't find the seed tray and drip tray, all you need are a few plastic pots or even plastic cups with holes punched into the bottom and some plastic wrap to start seeds.
COMPLETE STEP-BY-STEP TUTORIAL
- Grab your supplies: soilless mix, seed starting trays, water and seed.
DIY SOILLESS MIX RECIPE 1 part peat moss to 1 part perlite
- Soak the soilless mix with water.
You've added the right amount of water when you squeeze your soil hard and a few drips of water come out of it.
If it streams out like above, your soil is too wet. If nothing comes out your soil is too dry.
- Fill your tray with the dampened seed starter mix.
- Press the soil down just slightly.
Plant roots like a slightly compact soil. It helps to give the plant stability. So, push the dirt into each divot with your finger so it isn't quite so "airy".
- Now it's time to plant your seeds!
I'm going with parsley here.
- Put two or three seeds in each cell.
This way you're guaranteed at least one plant will germinate. If they all grow, just weed out the runts by cutting the stem off at soil level. Don't pull it out, because this will disturb the soil of the other seedlings.
- Cover the seeds up with soil.
A good rule of thumb is to cover the seed with the same depth of soil as the seed. (A 1 mm seed will be covered with 1mm of dirt)
Some tiny seeds don't even need to be covered at all. Refer to the instructions on the seed packet.
Also, once you've covered them, press down on the soil with your finger to make sure the top soil is touching the seed. Seeds need to be in contact with all the soil around them to germinate well.
- Cover your seed tray with a plastic dome.
The dome helps create heat and the necessary humidity for the seeds to germinate. As soon as your seeds sprout, you can remove the lid.
If you don't have a dome or are planting into plastic cups or pots just cover the pot with plastic wrap and secure it with a rubber band.
*If you don't have grow lights put the plants in a south facing window*
- REMOVE THE HUMIDITY DOME
Once the seeds sprout and put them under grow lights or in a SUNNY windowsill.
(a sunny windowsill will create leggy, but still viable plants)
- WATER YOUR SEEDLINGS
ALWAYS WATER FROM BELOW. Pour water into the drip tray and allow the plants to soak up the water for 10 minutes. Any water left in the tray afterwards should be dumped out to prevent overwatering.
Above, I'm using capillary mats, a more advanced way of watering.
NOW ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS KEEP GROWING THEM!
- POT THEM UP
Once your seedlings have grown 2 sets of leaves they're ready to go into a bigger pot and start receiving nutrients!
Plants always grow a set of starter leaves called cotyledons first. The next set they grow are the plant's "true" leaves.
Gently transplant your baby plant into a slightly larger pot that has actual soil in it. Regular potting soil is fine, using potting soil with the fungi Mycorrhiza is even better.
You can also make your own potting mix like I do.
When you're ready and if you feel you need it, this post has all the information you need for potting up your seedlings.
Propogation mats aka Heat mats
**If you have a heated seed mat (propagation mat) then place your seedling tray on the mat. The bottom heat on the soil will improve and speed up germination and growth on seedlings immensely. I HIGHLY recommend getting a seed starting mat if you're starting heat loving plants like peppers and tomatoes.**
If you started your seeds at the recommended date and weather conditions are good, you will only need to "pot up" your seedlings once.
If you see the roots are beginning to wind around inside the pot, they're getting close to needing to be potted up again.
THAT'S IT!
You should now feel confident that you can absolutely start seeds on your own.
QUICK TIPS
- Most seeds don't need light to germinate. They need heat.
- Seeds need moisture to germinate.
- Water from underneath.
- Keep a fan going to prevent "damping off".
- Use a timer on your lights - seedlings need 15 hours of light unless they're onions.
- Run your hand across the top of your seedlings. It helps give them a sturdy stem.
Easy to Grow
Beets - these seeds are actually a cluster of seeds so for every seed you plant you could get 2-3 plants.
Peas - they can be planted directly outside in April because they like the cold but starting them inside helps improve germination and stops squirrels and mice from eating the seeds before they get a chance to start.
Squash - both winter and summer squash grow well from seed.
Tomatoes - the star of every garden, tomatoes are one of the easiest plants to start from seed.
Herbs - basil, parsley, dill, oregano, ... all are great seeds to start.
Kale - I actually only like one variety of kale, Black Kale, and I grow it successfully from seed every year.
REMEMBER: Even when it isn't gardening season outside, it's gardening season inside.
Now grab a seed, get some dirt and start growing your own flowers and vegetables.
I'll give $5 to the first person who can grow a carrot big enough to replace a leg on a harvest table.
Have a question? Ask away.
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Any comments made prior to February 9th 2023 are referencing an older, outdated version of this post.
Christina
I would really love to plant my own veggies, but I live in a condo and don't have any outdoor soil to call my own. Are there any yummy plants that can be grown entirely in a pot?
Karen
Christina! There are allllll kinds of vegetables you can grow in pots! A lot of plants love pots because it keeps their roots nice and warm and compact. I'm not sure if you have a window or a balcony. Balcony is best as long as it gets 8 hrs. of sun, but even a window will sometimes produce vegetables. Plants that grow well in pots Jalapeno peppers, Tomatoes, Basil, Parsley, Lettuce, etc. etc. I've never tried beets or carrots in a pot, but I don't see why it wouldn't work! The only the you have to remember about pots is they dry out faster than a traditional garden so you HAVE to remember to water them. The bigger the pot, the less you'll have to water. Generally speaking you'll have to water every day or every other day. Good luck! ~ karen
Christina
Oo yay! I have a little deck so I could use that. I want to try tomatoes. I loooooove tomatoes.
Jules
Thanks so much for this Karen- love the easy list...this is on my TO DO list for this year- I have to get better at growing veggies. Question- I know you said for the idiots- you realize you have to water..I think I OVER water???..do you really need to water every day? sorry probably a stupid question but I really want to know!
Thanks so much!
Jules
Karen
Hi Jules! No, you don't really need to water every day. It depends on the plant, the soil and the size of the container it's in. The bigger the container, the more dirt, the longer it will stay wet. For vegetable seedings, you just need to keep them moist, not drowning in water. Just stick your finger about halfway down the soil and see if it's damp. You know those little metal sticks with the gauge on the top? They're for measuring soil dampness? They really work. They're about $8 or so. If you can't figure out if the soil is too wet or too dry get one of those. Good luck! ~ karen
Kasey
I really wish I had seen this sooner! I had no idea that seeding soil existed and just got regular soil. Also, when do you start using plant food on them? I bought some and have used a little, but after reading that the seeding soil has no nutrients, I'm confused about it.
AmyL
You don't need to use any plant food or fertilizer on the starters: a seed already contains all the food it needs to sprout and form it's first baby leaves (I'm reaching realllly far back to 9th grade biology here: I think they're called cotyledons). Basically, seeds have two parts: a tiny germ -- which is essentially the "embryo" that will sprout -- surrounded by a big nutrient "nut", that gives it energy to sprout, form roots and the first leaves.
After they're sprouted, you plant the small starter block into a slighly larger pot/block that has nutrient-rich soil and let both the roots and leaves develop some more, then you harden them off (take them outside for progressively longer periods to let them get used to harsher conditions), then finally plant them in your garden. It's not nearly as hard as it sounds!
Trysha
So you're telling me I can actually do this? Mmmm...sounds like the kids and I have a project for the rest of spring break after all...
Karen
Trysha - You DO! It's so much fun to grow your own vegetables. Make sure you have some quick growing ones for the kids. They like instant results. As do I. Which is why I still plant radishes! ~ karen
Lisa
Here's my tip: soil block makers!
http://www.johnnyseeds.com/p-8087-medium-4-soil-blocker-4-blocks.aspx
I used to save yogurt cups all year long for seed starting, but then I found this block maker thing. Just smoosh the damp soil in there, and eject the blocks. I put them directly in the drip tray. They don't fall apart either if you pack the soil tight enough. And to plant them, obviously you just plunk the whole thing in the ground.
Amy Schmucker
Wow I thought I would never get to the end of the comments.
Another Florida girl here. Broccoli will survive in Feb March without slugs here. But once the heat and the daily rain comes... up comes the whole plant b.c I hate those slimy worms. UGH. But my kids love the broccoli, so gotta grow it. Beans are awesome. they work really well in pots too.
Karen, wanted to give you a heads up on a box called the Earth Box. They cost about 30 dollars. (if you buy them) but if you make them yourself you can get em about 5 dollars.
you need...
One large storage container (I found them for four dollars at Big Lots)
4 inch pots that fit inside the container..set upside down. On top of the pots, place wire called hardware cloth or I call it Rat wire, (the mesh wire that has the small holes)
The area underneathe the wire become the water reservoir. A layer of newspaper covers the hardware cloth and then fill the container with soil.
A small PVC pipe runs along the side of the container to funnel water to the reservoir.
In Really hot hot areas where your soil is not good, or you want veggies on your patio, or condo this is a good idea.
I haven't tried it yet, as our weather is perfect right now, but later in June and July, I am going to try it out.
Ok, that is my tip for the gardeners. good luck.
Amy In Central Flordia
Denise
I can't wait to get my luffah seeds now. Perfect timing after that post. Maybe I'll grow one pollvault size for the five bucks.
I consider myself to have a green thumb, but have the worst time with tomatos and just gave up on them.. :( However, I would try again if I can find seeds for the "ugly tomato". I have looked everywhere!
Thanks again for a great post!
Karen
Thanks Denise!
Pam
I just went out and planted more seeds. With this on my face: http://www.mariobadescu.com/Drying-Lotion and in a low-cut shirt with no bra. Basically looks like pink chalk dots on my face. Ran into the landlord who works next door. Sometimes working at home makes me forget about the boundaries between public and private attire. But it does let me plant a garden over lunch. Thanks for the inspiration Karen!
Patti
Okay, okay. You're missing a pretty important vegetable here - beans! They're super, super, SUPER easy to grow, and they're soooooo delicious and delightful! I was told to plant them in 2 week periods, so I did - I did a row, and then two weeks later another row, and so on and so on. It meant I had great fresh beans forEVER instead of a huge batch all at once.
I was JUST talking about gardening with my fiance last night - last year was our first attempt and this year we want to be more organized about it! A couple tips from me:
Oregano and thyme are easy to grow but they take over an entire garden, so keep those suckers potted.
Kale is also a super hearty green that stays alive forever and just keeps going and going and going.
Garlic! Although I think you have to plant it in the fall or something... you just pop the cloves directly into the ground - pretty deep, and you get awesome garlic! It's pretty cool. You can't use dried garlic, though, it needs to be fresh. Then, the last head we 'harvested' we just broke into individual cloves and planted each of them. The garlic was already coming up yesterday - pooh pooh to this snow!
Karen
Patti - You're right! Garlic is great to grow. I've been growing it since I was 15! So at least a few years now. :) But because you start it in the fall, I didn't include it in my list. Also, oregano and thyme are perennial herbs so they didn't make my list either. I don't pot mine because they don't have as good a chance as living as perennials if you pot them. If they get too big in the garden you can just split them. Cut a big hunk off them and give it away. I've never grown Kale ... and in fact just ate some last night! I'll add Kale to my personal list. Thanks! ~ karen
Pam'a
Speaking of herbs that take over, beware of mint! I planted chocolate mint one year, and swore at it for the next five as it spread everywhere. What the heck do you do with chocolate mint anyway, besides pinching off the odd leaf and making your friends smell it?? That thrill dies fast.
Fun factoid: You can tell a plant is from the mint family if has square stems.
Karen
Pam'a - You are soooooo right about the mint! Although I remember needing it for some recipe last year and thinking "Phew! Glad I happen to have some even though I pull it all out every year". :) ~ karen
Alisha
I have a 4 foot wide rosemary plant that I cut down to almost nothing twice a year and it just grows so rapidly I don't know what to do with it all! I've given bags of it away on Craigslist! It blooms 10 or 11 months out of the year on Vancouver Island. Silly plant. I find all my veggies get fungus :( I was stoked to grow zucchini from seed last year and they were just getting big enough to pick and they turned all black. I was so sad!!
Sideroad40
Chocolate mint makes the BEST tea! Just hang some stems of it in 'August' or so until dry and crispy...store in a container to make fabulous tea (cold or hot) and impress your guests!
magali
I have a jalapeno plant growing right now in an Aerogarden (this ugly machine with a light where the plants grow in water. My boyfriend got it for christmas from his brother.) My mother in law in convinced no jalapenos peppers will ever grow. Tell me she is wrong. Your jalapeno plant made peppers right?
Karen
Magali - My Jalapeno plant grew so many peppers I didn't know what to do with them! It was insane! So yes. Once you get your plant outside into the sun it will prove your mother-in-law wrong. Honestly ... you'd better learn how to pickle them or something. A great way to cook them is the BBQ on medium for about 45 minutes. They lose most of their heat but maintain their flavour. ~ karen
Penny Santa-Barbara
Karen I noticed your seeds are from William Dam, my favorite seed shop. Do you live close to there?
Penny
Karen
Penny - Yes! Within driving distance. Love William Dam seeds. That's where I got my seedling trays actually! ~ karen
Traci
Hmmm...do I have to use this method if I live in Florida? Please so no, because I just planted some seeds in pots and stuck 'em outside. It's really warm and sunny, think they'll be ok?
Karen
Traci - LOL, no if you live in Florida you should have a long enough growing season that you don't need to implement the "windowsill" technique. ~ karen
Denise
Hi, I live in south florida, sometimes I put them in the ground, sometimes in little cups out on the back porch to start. I don't plant lots of seeds but both have worked good.....except for the durn tomatos. :D
Jen
Any thoughts on damping off? It usually kills most of my beautiful seedlings, just as the true leaves start to unfurl.
Karen
Jen - If you're having trouble, just bring your plants outside gradually. Once you're about a week away from your setting out date put the plants outside in the sun (the sun shouldn't be toooo strong at this point) for an hour. And make sure they're protected rom wind. Bring em back inside. Do the same thing the next day for a couple of hours and so on until the end of the week. This should do the trick. ~ karen
Karen
Jen - EEP! LOL, I misread your comment. Using actual "Seed starting soil" like I've recommended should help with this. This stuff doesn't contain any actual "dirt" which can have fungus. Fungus is what causes damping off. Also use sterilized pots and tools. Don't use dirty old pots from last year. Clean them well and spray them with a mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide. 10 parts water, 1 part hydrogen. Leave it for a few minutes, then rinse it off. Finally, make things the plants are overcrowded which promotes fungus and don't over water. That should help! ~ karen
kim
Thanks Karen, I have been planning my first in upteen years garden. I was thinking about putting broccoli in the garden but now.....yuck!!! If I served slugs to my daughter she would never eat veggies again!!
Kim
Amie
My friend gave me a paper pot press for Christmas. It's fantastic! You roll the paper around, press the bottom, fill with dirt & your away. I leave mine on the window sill in takeaway containers. When they are ready, you can plant the whole pot. The paper naturally breaks down and the seedling doesn't freak out about being moved. Its well worth the purchase! http://www.heaveninearth.com.au/p/360072/paper-pot-press-or-pot-maker.html
Sarah
You don't need to buy a gadget to make paper pots. I use the method described in this video. It's great! :D
http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s2897712.htm
cred
Funny, I just planned out my veg garden tonight- now's the time to start peppers & tomatoes for me, too (I'm also in southern Ontario)
I also vote for mesclun mix lettuce- direct sown, cool crop makes for great mixed green salads. Can't wait!
A little tip for thinning our seedling runts- just snip off the smallest with scissors to avoid accidentally uprooting the seedling you want to save.
Pam'a
I would like to add another easy vegetable-- So easy that you ought to just wait and plant it outside: LETTUCE! You don't have to wait very long, because lettuce loves cool weather. Check with your local nursery to find out when it's safe. Then, laugh at those expensive bags of lettuce for months to come!
As for inside seeds, you can also use egg cartons if you don't want to spring for seed trays. AND, your seedlings will be happiest if they sit someplace warmish. Yay spring!!!
Karen
Pam'a - I forgot all about lettuce! Yup! Great and easy. Although lettuce is sometimes prone to aphids and other bugs. As for the egg cartons, I personally don't use them because the cardboard actually sucks the water out of the dirt, making the plants dry out wayyyyy faster than if you put them in something plastic. Also, the shape of the egg carton isn't deep enough for the plant to develop nice, long roots. That is all. :) ~ karen
Pam'a
LOL... I forgot about paper egg cartons! You're right-- They sure *would* suck water. I was being all save-the-planet and talking styro or plastic ones. :)
Pati
Ugg I too don't ever grow Broccoli cause of the nasty caterpillars! Nothing worse then cleaning it all and cooking it, only to just about eat one hiding in the stalk...eeww. I don't grow carrots either as I get maggots in mine..
Thanks for the post Karen! Wasn't it nice playing in the dirt after a long winter! Yaaa spring!
Kerrill
Old joke: What's worse than biting into an apple and finding a worm? Finding half a worm.
Maureen Locke
Soak your broccoli in very salted water before cooking. Any critters will float to the top.
Jennifer
Agree with Adrienne -- perfect timing on this post. Just about to plant my square-foot garden and not a clue as to which tomato seeds to buy. 'Sweet Baby Girl' FTW!
Loved this part the most: "But I’m fairly certain if you can recognize most of the words in this post, you’re smart enough to realize you have to water plants." Gracias for the validation. :-)
Adrienne Audrey
This post comes at a good time. I have started the "cup" method with my herbs except I planted like 20 seeds in each 4 inch container and they all sprouted so now I have to majorly thin them out.