How to Start Seeds Indoors
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ก.ค. 2024
- It's easy to start your own seeds indoors. When starting seeds indoors there are just a few factors that are critical to success and Gardener Scott discusses not only how to do the different steps, but also why they need to be done. Learn how to start seeds and prepare yourself for growing seedlings to put in your garden.
To get a heat mat like the one shown in the video, click here:
amzn.to/2EbKfRP
Seed starter kit with peat pellets:
amzn.to/2BEOwvx
Flats for growing:
amzn.to/2Ea7ivh - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
I did not know his videos but seeing this one is enough for me to know that a gardening master speaks, it is not only a matter of oratory, it is to expose short and substantial what others adorn with unnecessary words
I like this guy. His voice and mannerisms lower my blood pressure
I have been growing plants from seeds off and on since I was a child. Now in my 40s, I am still amazed and fascinated to watch them sprout and grow. It gives me such a thrill to watch a seed grow into a plant!
I accidentally let some pepper seedlings dry out and they didn’t make it. I had to start over and did not have any seeds and no local sources as we are rural so I went to Dollar Tree. Their seeds are 4 packs for $1. I am so impressed with how these germinated 100%! The plants are so sturdy and look awesome.
Something I learned 4 years into seed starting is to use heat mats, get light on the sprouted seeds immediately, fertilize the seedlings with a 20-20-20 right away at 1/2 tsp to 1 gallon of water and keep the seedlings very moist. I don’t top water either. What a huge difference this has made to the vigor , strength and health of all my seedlings. I gave up on seed starting mix and flimsy plastic big box seeding trays, then used peat pellets which worked better, then invested in Park Seed Bio Dome seeding trays with the seed sponges and proper red blue spectrum light strips. I saved so much money starting my plants from seeds that I bought these awesome quality items over three years. Its faster to seed, more contained, less mess and far better results and much cleaner looking as I have to keep everything in my house for about 2-3 months until the weather warms. Thanks for all of your great tips!!!
Note to self about watering, lid condensation, when to start using the lights. 19:30 check if surface is drying out daily. If it is, add water to the bottom of the tray, or spray the surface of the plants. If the soil is too damp, do not water until that changes. If condensation is on the inside of the plastic cover, remove it, allow the water to run down into the soil, then replace the cover. He doesn't turn the lights on until a few days after planting when the plants are starting to show growth up out of the soil, then starts using the lights.
Thanks for confirming that I didn’t need light in order to germinate my seeds
You have some of the most detailed and simple to follow Gardening videos on TH-cam. Thank you for all the information. Much respect
Gardner Scott, you have the best educational videos! You show us and don't just speak to what you are doing, that is so helpful!! You also explain the process and the science behind the actions. Your productions are always top notch, very well done, truly professional.
I watched your piece on growing grocery store pinto bean seeds so I decided to experiment with grocery store blackberry seeds, I'm in cold stratification process now.
New subscriber here. I have watched alot of your videos and must say that you are the BOB ROSS of gardening. I like how you simplify things and your detail on matters. Thank you.👍🏻
So glad you appreciate the videos. I never saw myself as Bob Ross, but I take it as a nice compliment. Thanks, David.
Just started my seeds thank you for the great advice.
David Pruitt I TOTALLY agree ! I love Gardner Scott !!!!! 🌱❣️🌿
Def the bob ross of plants :3 happy little plants
I hear (feel) the same calming, trance like delivery. I’m just not sure if Gardner Scott is the same off camera; or is it a smart viewership strategy. I’ll say GS enunciation is...well..,impeccable. And he’s always “on point”.
BR on the other hand, used words like “footsies”, “dooers”, & “thingymacallits”. He would also have special guests like Peapod, the pocket squirrel. 🐿
I watch(ed) BR even though I never intend to pick up a brush. I use a spade and a hoe, but probably would do the same for GS.
Who would dislike the video? That’s just mind boggling. TY gardener Scott 🤙🏽
I was wondering the same thing 😂
Haters gonna hate.
feels like i have seen you before on TV or somewhere. You are just so professional and polished - good stuff!
There's not more that I can say outside of THANK YOU!!!!!!
Awesome❗clearly explained and illustrated. Thanks for sharing🌹
Thank you for helping us all grow our own food.
Thanks Scott your videos are full of easy to understand information, I have learnt a lot! ☘️☘️☘️
Thank u I am watching your seeds starting video from Sydney Australia and I love the way you explained everything properly.
Gardener Scott, you're the best. Thank you for all the good information. You are my go to.
Your video was so helpful! Thank you for this
Thanks, Gardener Scott!
You're welcome. :)
Ahh mix matters!!! I have been using my potting mix even tried my store bought compost and have had failer every time!! Thanks once more Gardener Scott!!!
Simply explain how to grow seeds very nice and perfect .
Thank you for open my eyes ,you are a great motevator
Merry Christmas Gardener Scott - you’re the bomb !
Thanks, Stephen. Merry Christmas to you!
I love how you explain things in depth. I not only want to know how, but why. And you do that beautifully. Now I just need to educate myself on amending garden soil. If I need to do it or not? My parents use to always plant in the spring and use cow manure. That's it. And we had a huge harvest of vegetables. I did this once and not likely to do it again. I had so many weeds to contend with it wasn't even funny.
Thank you sit. Very informative thank you.👍👍👍👍
Dude...love your content! Excellent!!
Thank you so very much! Making your mix today if my husband brings back correct items Lol he prefer I not go with him due to my obsession with garden supplies 😝😭😉🍃🌾🌻🌹
Thank you, it was very useful.
It is a amazing gardening knowledge world!And thanks a lot!
You are welcome.
Thanks for the informative video.
Thanks Scott.
I learned So Much from this video...Thank you!!
the best videos in youtube!
Thank you very much! :)
Thank you sir... Looking forward to the next video. Would also love to see the transplanting process as well sir.
Thank you, Robert. I'll be covering that as well. Thanks for asking.
Thanks for the info. I have made many gardening mistakes. In about 1977, I started 10,000 tomato seeds in a bedroom under grow lights and in those plastic trays. Nearly all of them sprouted. I thought the lights replaced sunlight as they were UV Grow Lights. Before the last frost had come and gone, they were all about 12" high, very spindly and weak, also kind of pale green. So I set them outside for about an hour to start with. The wind killed about half of them. I let them stay out too long and I ended up with maybe 50 to 100 viable plants. I hand carried water daily to them as they 'grew'. My landlord told me 'That land won't even grow weeds!', but I knew better! Ha! 'Nay, not so, young Luke!' I should have been afraid... very afraid. About 1/2 a peck of edible tomatoes was nothing to write home about! Another thousand dollars down the tubes!
That sounds like a painful lesson, Elbert. But it's a good warning for other gardeners. Thanks.
Phenomenal. Thank you.
Well done thank you!
Thank you.
Perfection 👌 THANK YOU 💟
Very informative
Great information! I always get many good tips from your videos. I liked your method of germinating onions and leeks in trays. I have always used cells but it makes more sense to use trays ... dunno why I didn't think of that.
Last year I did an experiment to see which germinating medium was best for me. I used my own, sieved compost (no, I didn't sterilize it but I will in future), SunGro Germination mix and fine vermiculite. I sowed tomato and pepper seeds.
The clear winner was the vermiculite (in terms of germination rates and robust seedlings). Cheers.
Good to know. Thanks for sharing.
I take a strip of newspaper, roll it around a uniform form and seal the overlapping end with a glue like Elmer's. I fold in the bottom to make a paper pot bottom. It costs me nothing except about 20 minutes to make several. Then I put in starter mix and wet the mix till it wets the paper. I save those 7 X 10 inch salad containers that hold maybe 8 or 10 pots. The moisture won't evaporate while seeds germinate. When they pop out of stater mix they go under grow lights and they are on their way for spring. When baby plants are about 2 or 3 inches tall, they go into larger pots with potting soil. I can either peal away the paper entirely or leave it, I've done it both ways. The baby roots don't care -- they grow into the potting soil and get started growing. Then, when they are maybe 8 or 10 inches tall and ready to harden off outdoors in shade, but natural sunlight for 10 days or so, they are about ready to set in their summer homes for the duration of summer. It's truly a thing of amazement to see a tomato plant reach 4 or 5 feet tall that one grew from a single seed 4 or more months before. Cheers, my grower friends. Bob
Awesome, video. Thankyou
Thanks, Katia!
Thank you
Excellent
Thank you!
You're welcome.
Hello again Gardner Scott, just to run through all that I have in my raised bed is Cherry Tom , gr. Bell pepper , cellebity Tom , beef steak Tom, cucumbers, canaolope, jalapeno out of those I said I have growing other than the tomatoes which other are doomed thanks again Gary
Grill your soil outside instead of in your oven in the house. You can even use a disposable container if you are squeamish about using something that had peatmoss or soil cooked in it.
Thank to your impormatiom sir
You are welcome.
Good info! Tks-
You're welcome. Thanks for the nice comment.
My mother used to fill up the roasting pan with garden soil and bake it for her house plants
Good memory. 🙂
Hey Gardener Scott, I found your channel about 3 weeks ago. You've given me good pointers and explained questions Ive always wondered about, thank you. I like your style of vlogging, van you share any advice on how I can grow my viewership for my channel.
Thanks. Glad to hear it. I've checked out your channel and I've noticed progress from the first video to the last. It took me awhile to get subscribers, but once it started it grew pretty quickly. Watch some of the videos on TH-cam that suggest ideas for growing viewership. You'll find that most recommend good quality and consistent posting. Last year I started posting one video per week and now I'm up to two a week. That helps establish a library of videos and once someone finds your channel, if they like it, there are many videos to keep their interest. Above all, enjoy it. Being yourself and sharing the message you want to send will help you in making videos and attracting viewers who want to watch your journey. Good luck.
I know this is an older video but according to directions use warm to hot water on pellets & they expand immediately.
i can second that notion on garden soil and bringing in unwanted guests. I BOUGHT a bag of 'garden soil' to move my tomatoes and peppers into after they got too big for the cell trays. Unfortunately, As i thought store bought soil was sterilized, well, it wasnt. I ended up with all kinds of tiny flies flying around my plants because their eggs were in the garden soil i bought from walmart. not going to do that ever again.
New subscriber very grateful for you videos! Where is the best place to get good hearty seeds I have not had luck in the past at all! thanks
Hi, Jennifer. Welcome to the channel. I get most of my seeds online. Here's my video that shows some of my favorite catalogs: th-cam.com/video/EhgaHexo9Lw/w-d-xo.html
Thanks gardener Scott for your excellent content! Question, can you recomnend a sturdy grow light? Some I'm reading show a potential burn possibility. Thank you.
I don't have a specific brand that I use. For years I've used florescent lights to minimize potential burn issues. My newer lights are LED with limited problems.
i would like to add my cheap way of sprouting tomato seeds i use small styrofoam cups punch a tiny hole for drainage put about 1 inch deep potting soil put 1-2 seeds ( i like celerity seeds) mist as needed i have these cups sitting on a small rolling cart so i can control sun shine daily now as the seeds sprout dont let them get leggy add a little top soil as needed so when the cup get full you have a strong plant you cantransfer to larger pot with about 95 % success i let these plants have about 1 hr of sun a day the increase the time latter on hope this helps some one
Hi, can I know the model of the other heat mat showed. Thank you in advance.
Any chance you could do a video on how to start seeds without grow lights? I have a small house and cats, so no great place indoors to start seeds. Really enjoy your videos!
Thanks, Linda. I will discuss that topic in future videos, including the one coming on Friday. I show a few options in this video: th-cam.com/video/0ARDW13KcDM/w-d-xo.html
Gardener Scott. You are the best! What kind of seeds to you recommend?
Thank you! I recommend growing seeds for the plants you want to grow. I use hybrid, heirloom, and open pollinated seeds that I save and that I buy from many different seed companies.
My seed starter has been a fluffy mix of coconut coir, vermiculite and compost. You pointed out I don't really need the compost for seeds, and I have learned my lesson from getting seedlings of every darn vegetable and fruit I ate last year coming from that compost! Also, I've done the paper towel & baggy trick, but your video pointed out seeds need oxygen. Doesn't the baggy deprive them of that? I have always flattened the baggy (not puffed), and as soon as I see sprouts, put them into starter mix. Getting started on 2020 garden! Thanks!
Good question and one I'll address in a video next week. There is enough oxygen in the bag to support germination (it doesn't take much). Just to be sure I like to keep a corner of the bag open.
🌱
Gardner Scott, I love your videos! This is my first year gardening and I am starting seeds indoors. My questions are: what kind of surfaces can I lay the heating mats onto? The shelf I am using is made of wood. And, should I leave the heating mat on constantly (day and night)? Thanks!
Wood will be okay. The temperatures aren't high enough to damage most tables and shelves. Leave the heat on until the seeds have germinated.
👍👍
great video! however, when you said to pour the condensation from the lid back into the soil, i believe it causes mold. i did that last year and a mold began to grow on the soil tops. it stopped after i stopped doing that.
How many hours a day do you keep your grow lights turned on for long day onion seeds?
Hi G.S. I have a question, but it's slightly off topic. You know I had a terrible gardening year last year. I was looking at my rows a few days ago. Many of them have finally started growing, but two haven't. The soil looks like a black version of the moon's surface. I dug a little deeper to find out how bad the situation was, and I found a ton of wildlife underneath: worms, snakes, frogs (probably food for the snakes) and lots of insects. What, if anything, do I do to the soil to help my plants grow there? Is it healthy soil or not?
How grow Sugar Apple Side please.
I'm on my way this year thanks to your advice. Are your lights low cost?
Thanks, Steve. My lights are just generic shop lights from a big box store. Nothing special about them, just a good source of light for the plants.
@@GardenerScott Are they flourescent lights? what kind are they?
Hello!!
I am wondering about the foil backing on the surround of your growing area. Would you mind letting us know what that is, what it is called and where it can be obtained?? It looks like a FANTASTIC material to build a growing area near a window where the winter sun is not very strong!
Your videos are always interesting and filled with knowledge!! Thanks!
They are mylar sheets used as thermal blankets. These are the ones I use: amzn.to/3nR819B
@@GardenerScott THANK you, SIR!!
What is the ideal temperature for most seeds? I heat with kerosene and wood so the temp in my home fluctuates a good bit. Thank You for sharing your knowledge with us and God Bless you and your family from middle GA 🙏 Kendra
Most seeds will germinate between 60-70. Peppers and tomatoes prefer warmer if possible, which is why a heat mat can help germination.
@@GardenerScott Thank you
Some seed do need light. Primarily very small ones
Hi! Does this germination rack have to be in a room with windows? Can I put it in a basement room with no windows? Thank you for your excellent videos.
Once the seeds germinate the seedlings should have at least 14 hours of light each day. A basement room is good with lights for the plants.
You're basically my instructor. I feel like I'm in university lol it's great.
Question: my snaps are surface sown and need light. They are in a four season sunroom. No germination yet. I put one tray under grow lights. Do you know if that's really necessary? Or should daylight suffice?
Thanks. For germination, the light doesn't matter, but once the seedlings emerge and begin to grow it is more important to give them substantial light. They'll do better under grow lights. When the seedlings are taller and have developed good, strong stems they can be moved into your sunroom.
@@GardenerScott 👍 but does this apply to seeds that require light for germination? Will natural light be enough for those types of seeds?
Natural light should be enough for those type of seeds. There aren't many seeds that need it.
Great info, thanks. I just read somewhere and now I can’t find it, maybe you can help. If you start squash indoors instead of directly outdoors, they tend to be weaker and more vulnerable to vine borers. Is there any truth to that? Here in south Alabama, vine borers start showing in late June and are really bad
Squash do not like to be transplanted so it will stress the plant and become more susceptible to pests. You can try direct sowing after the vine borers show up so the plant grows after they do their feeding and egg laying.
Hey Scott! Have you ever had any luck attempting to stratify and scarify blackberry seeds? I know the preferred method is to bury pre-existing canes or plant pruned 6 inch sections of canes, but I wasn't sure what level of success could be had from the months of cold temperatures required to stratify the seeds, and then employing some method of scarification. It seems like a lot of work for something that could potentially fail, but trying to propagate a parent plant on a large scale without severely pruning the parent seems a barrier to propagation.
Great question! Blackberry seeds are notoriously difficult to germinate because of the need for both scarification and a long stratification. I haven't propagated from seed, but have done layering, burying stems in soil. This doesn't damage the parent until you cut out the section of cane that has rooted and allows for easy and quick multiplication of plants. I've read that using a blender can help with blackberry seeds. Put the berries in a blender on low. That helps separate the fruit from the seeds and scarifies in the process. Then the seeds should be in a moist environment in the refrigerator for about four months. That's a lot of work for a seed that might not germinate and might not bear true to the parent. I'm a bit intrigued by your question and may try it at some point in the future, but not this year. If you try, I'd be interested in your results.
@@GardenerScott Thanks very much for your insight on this! I tried stratifying some Blackberry seeds in peat moss in the back of the refrigerator for 5 months two years ago followed by scarification using two methods, one with a 10% bleach/water solution soak and another with gently sanding the seeds down between sandpaper. Unfortunately neither attempt was successful, but I may try again next season with a different parent plant, I just wasn't sure if you had tried this in the past or spoken with others who may have had success. All things considered, it might be less time consuming to propagate via layering, canes, or by roots due to the time involved in getting the seeds to germinate, which at this point would be more than enough time for the parent plant to recover from heavy pruning. It's certainly an interesting challenge all the same, if I ever achieve success with it I'll be sure to let you know! Thanks again!
I always have 20 some bags of fruit seeds in baggies in my fridge xD i just cant help myself...
The tray you started your onions and leeks in is it with or without the holes
The tray has no holes.
I have good luck with top heat for seed germination. I put the seeds in the tray with the dome on top. Bring the light down two in above the dome.They germinate in 7 days.Is this ok?
Sure. That can be a good way to add heat.
I plant my tomatoes Memorial Day weekend in zone 4. I am trying to learn when I need to start my seeds. Is it still to early - April 1st or about time? Thanks.
Tomato seeds are usually start 6-8 weeks before the last frost date.
When tomato seeds start to sprout, how far above the plants should the lights be? When do you remove the dome?
Remove the dome as the seedling height begins to touch it. The lights should be a few inches above the plants,
Your channel is great - My 22 year old boy still lives at home, left the excavation job and started a tree service - found your take on wood chips and it really helped easy the tension of the many piles that now dot my land. Second best - Comfrey, for years I have search for a green to amend my very brown bin! Ask experts, the local ag extension office, searched web - bingo two weeks ago see you fill the need with Comfrey, I ordered Russian roots and have a plan there, I ordered seeds and have a place for that future plant that may spread! Problem - I can not find the right way to start the seeds:( do they need to be in the refrigerator for months? will it take 2years for them to start?? Just wanted to sprout then a set them out in late June - Have green house, great lakes Ohio zone 6ish
Comfrey seeds will benefit from cold stratification. A month in the refrigerator on a moist paper towel will help, but you can also try a few directly in the garden and may have some success.
Comfrey tends to be sprouting up in a number of places on my property. Started with one plant division given by a friend 5 yrs ago. The plant itself now takes 1/4 of an old 8x8 raised bed. The leaves are super nutritious to amend the soil. When I built my raised beds Hugelkultur' style I had a layer of comfrey in each bed at the 12" mark - before the remaining 12" of soil was added. I never worry about saving seed.
Scott, I'd like to start some cabbage and broccoli for fall planting. The first attempt on cabbage was a disaster (should have watched this video first). My question is whether I will need to use a grow light or can I place the seeds outside once they germinate (my preference if possible). Alternatively, I could place them near a window. Any advice? Thanks.
You can start plants under lights and you can also start them directly outside. I suggest trying both and see what works best for you.
@@GardenerScott Thanks Scott. I think is was too hot for the first batch and I over watered.
How high above the plants do you put your grow lights?
Generally, just a few inches above the plants. Some of the stronger LED lights can be higher.
I have the same seed starter. My first tomatoes seedlings in March didn’t survive because of the temperature drop the other day. I need to start over again. My zone is 6B do you think if it is still good since it is late April?
Determine your official last frost date. That is the best way to determine when to start.
I'm in 6b and I wasn't able to get mine planted until the end of May this year due to weather
Hi Gardner Scott we started some tomatoes and petunias as seedlings some of them have germinated we have seedling warmers underneath the trays the site that we are using is in our basement average temp is in 60s after germination do we still need the seed warmers or do we just use the lights . Thanks so much
You probably don't need the warmers. After they've germinated, the lights will be all you need.
@@GardenerScott Thanks Gardner Scott Very Much appreciated your channel is a Godsend and so quick a reply ...Awesome !!
Gardener Scott, I have LED grow lights. What’s the suggestion for distance of lights away from the plants?
A few inches above the plants is usually good, but it depends on the strength of the light. Some grow lights are more powerful and can be higher. If there is no specific direction on the packaging place closer to the plant.
@@GardenerScott thank you Scott!
Do you turn the light while seedling is under the dome lid?
I do, but it usually isn't needed for the first couple days. I want the light to be ready whenever the seeds germinate.
How would you manage brussel sprouts?
They can be started indoors 2-3 weeks before the last frost date.
How can I germinate Kentia palm seeds.? I have tried all the possible methods from baggy method to soil planting and proper lighting for past 3 years but no success.
Pls guide me what to do?
I am sorry, but that is not something I know how to do.
Right now, as i prep for what I will call prime time growing in Miami (the winter months, i.e. temps in the 70s) i can put peppers in my screened in porch to germinate as the lows are still in the 80s....guess I am lucky!!!
How long should it take a seed to germinate? Before I realized tht they are too olde.
Thanks in advance TIA
It depends on the seed. I've had lettuce germinate in two days and hot peppers germinate in 40 days.
what happens if you don't have a set up with the light being able to move? all I have is a bright overhead light
Your seedling will get leggy. The light needs to be close to them.
Nancy, you don't need a fancy setup, but you do need to get the lights as close to the growing plants as possible. I discuss some simple options in my other video about growing seedlings: th-cam.com/video/0ARDW13KcDM/w-d-xo.html
That's very true. Lights need to be close.
At what stage do you transfer the starts to bigger containers?? When do you use the light? At what stage?
I guess you answered the light, can you link the growing the seedlings
Most transfers happen after the plant has at least one set of true leaves; I usually do it after the second set of leaves appear. I use lights right after sowing seeds so that there is light when the seedlings emerge from the soil.
But does the light stay on once in bigger containers?
Yes, the light stays on 12-14 hours a day until I transplant outside.
Thank you for answering my questions. Looking forward to next year. I’ve always bought starts and I want to learn this skill. Thanks for being patient
When do I remove the heat mat from the seedlings?
As soon as the seeds germinate you probably won't need the heat mat.
Something is eating my seedlings. I started seedlings with Jiffy pellets under grow lights in my basement. I have done this for more than 15 years now and never had a problem, until now. As the first batch of seedlings emerged, I let the dome slightly open for venting. I noticed some small flies - like fruit flies. Then noticed that the seedlings are being cut right below the emerging leaves. Sprayed neem oil. The flies are gone. But something is still eating away the seedlings. Any idea what could it be?
That is a mystery. I hate to suggest it, but do you have a problem with mice? If the upper part of the plants are missing, that would be my guess. If the leaves are still there, but just cut off, it could be a fungal problem like dampening off.
Gardener Scott no mice problem. The leaves are in the tray. So possibly fungal.
Cinnamon may help
Is anyone familiar with "moon cycle" planting ? Read in Farmers Almanac.
Can I use coconut coir in lieu of sphagnum moss?
It depends on how you're using them, but they are interchangeable in most gardening applications.
@@GardenerScott Thank you for responding. I wanted to use it to grow plants from seeds.
How long will your house smell like soil after you cook it? Thx!
For a few days unless you can air it out well.
Gardener Scott Thank you! It will be worth it to sterilize the soil.