Seed Starting Basics

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January 21, 2023

It is that time of the year to get started with seedlings! While it sounds intimidating and can definitely be overwhelming, we hope you will find these seed starting essentials helpful for your seedling success.

While there are temperatures and humidity levels to control, we have found some products that help us monitor this for ultimate success. Watering and soil drainage play a huge role in seedling germination success so we have listed a couple of options to help manage this important aspect to growing.

Seed starting can be extremely stressful. Especially when you do not have a fabulous magazine worthy greenhouse in your backyard.

We are firm believers of working with what you already have! Our motto is “it doesn’t have to be beautiful, it has to be functional.” I see many first timers get too caught up in the beauty of raised beds, greenhouses, chicken coops, and any other structures that are out there in our faces, but do not function as they should and are expensive!

I want to reassure you that you can have beautiful plants without the luxurious greenhouse. But if you do have one (lucky dog), these essentials can also be used!

Some of the links throughout this post are affiliate links. If you purchase through one of these links, our farm will earn commission from your purchase (at no extra cost to you!). We are proud Amazon Associates. We thank you for helping support our journey as a first generation regenerative farm. We only recommend products that we use on our farm.

Know Your Growing Zone

The US is broken up into many different growing zones or plant hardiness zones. A hardiness zone is a geographic area defined as having a certain average annual minimum temperature. Before even thinking about starting seeds, transplants or gardening, you should know which zone you live in. Some plants thrive in certain zones while others do not. Before spending time and money on a bunch of different plants, we encourage you to research which plants will thrive in your area.

Find your growing zone here!

Seed Starting Essentials

Mini Greenhouse

I bought this greenhouse in 2020 to help with humidity control and for better hardening off when it was time to transplant. 2020’s seeds did not work out for me the way they should have. I had beautiful starts and when it came time to harden off and transplant, I put them outside on my porch in this greenhouse. We had a huge wind storm two days later and it took my greenhouse half way down the road… Oops. Rookie mistake - always tie down your greenhouse, even on the porch.

This specific mini greenhouse is very efficient for starting seeds when you have a small space, like us. Until I can get my husband to build my dream greenhouse, I start my seedlings inside the house with this greenhouse. I place it in proximity to the wood stove to help germination with tomatoes, peppers, rosemary and other warm loving seeds. These seedlings have a greater chance at germination when the soil is warm.

Specs:

Entire greenhouse: 19L x 27W x 63H inches
4 heavy duty shelves are included and are 2’3” wide
Material: alloy steel
Clear polyethylene cover with roll-up zippered door

Grow Lights

These grow lights are great when you have an awkward space to start seedlings. These specific grow lights clip onto your tray or greenhouse shelves. I chose these lights because of the goosenecks, which will allow me to adjust as needed. These lights are full spectrum yellow and white combination and can be dimmed. They also have a built in 3/9/12 hour timer making it convenient when ensuring that your plants have the correct amount of light.

Specs:

Choose from 2, 3 or 4 goosenecks
Full spectrum LED with yellow and white combination
On/Off function and 3/9/12 hour timer
10 dimmable modes
3 switch modes
Assembled measurements: 10.5L x 0.6W x 15.5H inches
20 watts

Waterproof Seedling Heat Mat with Thermostat Controller

Waterproof Heat Mat with Thermostat Controller

In previous years, I did not invest in a heat mat and my peppers did not grow as they should have. I placed them on the top of my refrigerator for extra heat, but unfortunately it was not enough. Now I use this heat mat with a thermostat controller to make sure the heat loving seeds get a great start.

Soil temps are a very important factor for seed propagation. This mat with thermostat controller is an inexpensive way to ensure you are meeting those temperature requirements when it comes to warm loving seeds such as peppers.

Mat Specs:

Measurements: 10 x 20.75 inches
Heats root zone to 10-20 degrees F higher than ambient temp
Power cord length: 6 foot
Power: 20 watt
Voltage: 120V/60Hz

Thermostat Specs:

Measurements: 4.8 inches
Power cord length: 5.8 foot
Detection probe cord length: 6.4 foot
Improves propagation rates by maintaining ideal root temperatures between 40-108°F (5-42°C)

Grow Trays

Grow trays are perfect for placing your peat pots or soil blocks in and provide you with the flexibility to move around as needed. Many blocks and pots will fit perfectly in these trays. There are different seed starting grow trays available.

Interested in soil blocking? Future post coming!

Humidity Dome Trays

If you do not have a greenhouse, these humidity dome trays work great to ensure humidity requirements are met. They can be a bit pricey. Another (and much cheaper) option is to cover your trays with plastic wrap until seeds start to sprout. You can makeshift a taller humidity dome by adding popsicle sticks in your tray to hold the plastic wrap up.

Get your compostable plastic wrap here!

Standard Grow Trays without Drain Holes

These are my favorite trays without a dome and they are fairly inexpensive. They are great for microgreens, too! Since these do not have drain holes, be sure to keep a check on your soil drainage and water levels. There are trays with drain holes that are perfect for outdoor greenhouses.

Seed Starting Kits

If you want to skip all the parts and only worry about a kit (great for beginners!), I would suggest Burpee’s Self Watering Seed Starter Tray.

This kit is a complete indoor seed starting set with 72 cells and a dome cover. It comes with two 36 cell planting trays, two plant stands, one self-watering mat, one water reservoir tray, 72 super growing pellets and a dome cover!

Specs:

Tray has space for up to 72 seedlings in cells measuring 1.5"W x 1.5"L x 2"D each
Entire tray measures 10"W x 20"L x 5"H
Minimizes overwatering and promotes healthier root development, giving you hardier plants. Pellets of coco coir hold the perfect amount of moisture for seedlings

Other Seeds Starting Materials

Peat Pots

Peat pots are all pretty much the same. There are different variations to size however and that is something to keep in mind when starting your seeds. Some seeds should be started in larger pots because their roots prefer not to be disturbed. Other plants are more resistant to root disruption and can easily be started in smaller pots. Peat pots are also available as squared pots or circular pots.

Peat pots are amazing because they are biodegradable meaning you can place the whole peat pot in the ground if you desire. They also have better water retention so water availability is there for your precious seedlings.

For smaller pots and more hardy plants, these pots are my go to:

For larger peat pots, I prefer these 3 inch pots:

Seed Starting Soil Mixes

There are SO many different options for seed starting mixes, it can be overwhelming. You have options like organic, non organic, added fertilizer, some with known ingredients, others with unknown ingredients. Personally, I prefer organic and want to know exactly what is in my seed starting mix. Get my DIY seed starting mix recipe here!