How to Start Seeds Indoors: What You Need
Do you want to start flower and vegetable seeds but don’t have a greenhouse? No problem! Follow along with Part 2 of this informative series that will describe how to start seeds indoors without a greenhouse.
In Part 1, we covered the basics and provided a general overview of how to start seeds indoors without a greenhouse
In Part 2 of the series, we will cover the supplies I purchased and am using to start my seeds indoors without a greenhouse.
So let’s get started!
I bought some cool stuff to make the seed starting system I wanted for the basement.
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How to Start Seeds Indoors Without a Greenhouse – The Supplies
Shortly after publishing Part 1 of this series, my husband and I went shopping for supplies at Home Depot.
We shopped with this general seed starting supply list. I decided whatever I couldn’t find, I would purchase on line.
In general, here’s what to buy:
- Seeds
- Vermiculite
- Seed Starting Potting Soil
- Seed Trays
- Bottom or Drainage Trays
- Clear Dome Lids
- Grow Lights
- Table or Shelf System for Seedlings
- Heat Mat
- Plant Labels
- Programmable Timer
Since I have a lot of space in my basement, I want to work with 4′ grow light systems.
There are smaller options available so design a system that works best for you and the space you have.
How I Set Up My Seed Starting System in the Basement
As mentioned in Part 1 of this series, I am starting my seeds in the basement. It’s pretty dark down there.
There are a few basement windows, but certainly not enough to give seedlings enough light to grow.
So a good system with several grow lights will do the trick!
There’s a few ways you could create one.
But this is how we chose to do it.
The Seed Starting Shelf System
I really wanted to purchase a pre-made shelf system but they were a little more expensive than we cared to spend.
And, because I’m starting roughly 21 seed trays, I need more space than those pre-made systems could provide without spending a ton of money.
Chris considered building shelves with wood. Which is a great option.
But for us and how we use this basement the rest of the year, that would be more difficult to move around or put away when we are done with the seedlings.
So we ultimately decided on these chef shelves. They are perfect for starting several seed trays.
It’s easy to hang grow lights on them.
The shelves are adjustable.
Plus we can use them for more than just growing seeds.
So this was a no brainer.
To accommodate roughly (21) 10″x20″ seed trays, we bought 2 chef shelves.
Grow Lights
Next up was purchasing grow lights.
Home Depot did not have 4 footers in the store, so we bought as many 2 foot ones that they had in stock.
And then I just purchased more online.
They are pretty easy to use, came with a wire to raise and lower the lights and will work well with the chef shelf system.
Since I couldn’t find more 2 footers online, I purchased a few 4 foot grow lights.
Because I needed so many supplies, I had a feeling I would have to piecemeal some of them together.
It should all work out in the end, but I would rather have all of the same supplies.
Seed Starting Trays, Clear Domes, and Irrigation Trays
Home Depot did not have much aside from the complete systems like these.
But I found the larger ones with 72 cells that have a self-watering tray and peat pot cells.
I’ve worked with them before when starting seeds, so I bought a bunch to use.
I won’t use them for every variety of seeds, but love that they have the water reservoir on the bottom so we can keep the plants well hydrated from there.
Because there was little in store stock, I purchased what was available based on my needs and purchased other items online.
In addition to the complete systems, I’m using some containers I have from last year. If you want to reuse containers you already have too, make sure you properly clean them.
And, I ordered 4″ deep biodegradable cells, clear plastic dome and irrigation trays.
The reason I purchased the 4″ deep biodegradable cells is because there are a few seeds that need deeper cells to start and grow in.
Seed Starting Soil and Vermiculite
For the cells/pots that do not have a seed starting mix in them, I purchased seed starting soil so I’m ready to go when its time to sow.
Some growers recommend using vermiculite to cover seeds after planting instead of soil. It’s not necessary if you don’t have it, but the seeds have an easier time growing through it.
I already had vermiculite on hand, but if you don’t, here’s what I’m using.
My good friend Kim from Shiplap and Shells just shared a great article about starting a garden with great soil.
Soil quality can make or break any garden, so I can’t stress enough the importance of good, healthy soil.
Heat Mats
I couldn’t find any heat mats in store at Home Depot.
Instead of shopping around in other stores, I just ordered them online.
Plant Labels and Sharpie
I can’t stress enough how important it is to label EVERYTHING you plant right after sowing.
You’ll never remember the name and variety later so do yourself a favor and label it when you sow.
These are the plant tags I’m using.
To write on them, I’m just using a sharpie. But a pencil would work too.
Ultimately, you want to use something that won’t rub off.
So keep that in mind.
Programmable Timers
Because we are doing this indoors without a greenhouse, it’s important to make sure the seedlings are getting the proper amount of light.
In general, grow lights will be on for 14-16 hour days.
I don’t know about you, but I’ll never remember to turn them on and off every day, so a programmable timer is essential.
I’m using one like these and I bought two – one for each shelf system.
Power Strip
Since I am starting several shelves of grow lights on two separate programmable timers, I need to use a power strip for each shelf system.
This is what I’m using – but you can use anyone that you have on hand.
Seeds
It’s almost time to start planting certain flower varieties, so I already have my seeds. If you don’t have yours yet, check with your local nursery, big box store, or reputable online retailers like Floret Flowers and Burpees.
I purchased mine from Floret Flowers at the recommendation of my good friend Kim from Shiplap and Shells who has an amazing cut flower garden in the PNW.
Wait until you see how she grows her sweet peas from seed!
I’ve never grown sweet peas before but cannot wait to grow them this year.
They are the first seeds I’ll be sowing and I’m starting them next week!
Next up in the series, we’ll be chatting about how to get organized before starting seeds indoors. CLICK HERE to read the post.
Want To Get More Organized to Start Seeds?
CLICK HERE to get my FREE DOWNLOADABLE PRINTABLE that will help you get organized to sow seeds this year. Print as many pages as you want and add to your gardening journal for ease of reference during the growing season.
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For this newbie, there is so much to learn. 😊 You have given a great step by step on how to start. I am so looking forward to planting. Thanks for always sharing your knowledge!
I am so glad you find it helpful Kim! I can’t wait to see what you grow! xoxo
Can’t wait to see your garden this year !
You and me both Ann! xoxo
Wonderful your gardening idea. I like much. Very useful & great work.
Thank you! Do you grow anything where you live?
Stacy,
I really appreciate all your information! Although I have a greenhouse, I’ll be starting a lot of these seeds inside so your information is so valuable to me.
Thank you Rachel! I’m so excited to grow things together this year! xo
This is such a helpful post Stacy!!!! I’m wanting to try this this year!!
Thank you Kristin! I hope you do – we can grow stuff together! xoxo
Thank you so much for sharing this! I have an enclosed greenhouse garden shelving unit that has the cover and lights and I need to get things started! It’s not large, but it was an estate sale find and I keep forgetting I have it. I hadn’t seen the heat mats. Brilliant. I love Floret.❤️
Thank you! Yes the heat mats really help get the seeds going! I am so excited to see what you grow! Are you doing flowers and veggies? Yes, they produce amazing seeds! xo
Your basement looks exactly like mine right now. I can’t wait to see them blooming in the garden this summer. Happy Saturday!
Thank you so much! What are you growing this year? I am so excited to start sowing! Enjoy your weekend!
Last year in a pinch I used heating pad until I got the heat mats. Looks like I missed out on getting seeds from floret flowers. They were sold out 🙁 I’m enjoying watching your journey growing plants from seeds. It’s a miracle how this happens. Keep up the good work.
Thank you so much Michelle! Yeah their seeds are high in demand! Have you tried Burpee or your local nursery?
It is so nice to read such a detailed description of how you start your seeds. I am going to start mine for the first time this weekend so it’s nice to have this tutorial for reference!!! Wish me luck:)
That is wonderful Maria! I am so happy to hear that! What are you going to grow? I’m starting my sweet peas next week. Looking forward to watching our gardens grow together! xo
Super informative post!! I just picked up some trays this morning…I can’t wait to get everything started!! You are a couple of gardening weeks ahead of me.
Thank you so much! I am so excited to start growing stuff! It will be so much fun to grow our gardens together. I am sowing my sweet peas next weekend!
Wow! This is such an amazing setup! Can’t wait to see all that you grow here. 🙂
Thank you Anne! I am so excited to branch out of my gardening comfort zone and try some new plants! Have the best weekend! xoxo
Could you share the information that you have written in your spiral notebook? What are the categories? I see flowers, days to maturity…what else?
thanks!
Hi Margaret! I’m sharing a post tomorrow that will detail how I organized myself to start my seeds. Stay tuned! xo
I support my family gardener’s by sharing posts like this. They are my husband, daughter and DIL. We all agree you can never have too many flowers!
I could not agree more Linda!!! Thank you so much! Have the best day! xoxo