5 Things to Consider Before Starting Seeds
1. Quality of the plant
- If you start from seed you know the entire lifecycle of that plant, from seed to harvest! From seed producer, to soil, light and water requirements, you will nurture this plant through its entire lifecycle.
- Heartiness is tough to factor in with seedlings. Missing watering, over watering, too much light, not enough light can affect the quality of your overall plants.
- Transplants are hand-picked as healthy, hearty transplants. There is value in knowing that you’ll be transplanting strong plants in your beds.
2. Variety
- Seeds offer a robust variety often not available as a transplant at your local nursery or greenhouse. If you seek something unique and new, starting your own seeds can help you to achieve that specialty flavor or strain!
- Seed houses offer many different types of seeds and varieties of each strain!
- It’s much easier to ship a packet of seeds than it is to ship transplants and there can be laws regarding produce across state boarders.
3. Timing
- Many transplants are not available until May or June in most areas. If you’re looking to get a jump on your season, starting your own seeds gives you that flexibility!
- Opposing fact, timing can work against you with seeds. If you start your seeds too late, you could be behind the season where a transplant is established and ready to jump into your outdoor garden to start producing!
- Seeds can sell out! You have to make sure you’ve entered in your order early enough in the season to not miss out on the selections offered in most reputable seed houses. This means garden planning needs to start as early as December/January to ensure you don’t miss out!
- Always consider the ‘age’ of your transplant. If it’s further along that you expect, you could have already missed the bloom! These plants are usually discounted, so buyers beware! Always ask, is this past its bloom/fruiting cycle?
4. Effort & Materials
- Seeds are not the quick and easy approach like a transplant! There are many things to consider under effort with seedlings that are not a factor with most transplants:
- Heat: Seedlings need to be tended in specific conditions, most of the time requiring a minimum heat or a heat mat to keep soil temps optimum for germination.
- Lighting: Seedlings need light! Unless you have an amazingly large window you’re willing to sacrifice your view with the perfect amount of sunny daylight, you’ll need supplemental light with T5 bulb or LED’s for 14-18hrs a day depending on what you are growing.
- Water: Seedlings need water. This seems like a ‘no duh’ but think about the logistics…do you have a water source close to where you are going to keep your seedlings? If not, think about trekking to that location with gallons of water a day.
- Location: Seedlings are little, but surprisingly take up quite a bit of space! Think about the above requirements (heat, light, water), and pair those with functionality with your home. Do you have pets or kids? Both love freshly watered soil and are curious enough to cause an accidental mess. Focus on finding a space that is away from little paws, fingers and white carpets. Cautiously don’t fall victim to out of sight, out of mind.
- Time: you need to visit your seedlings daily at least to ensure they have the essentials to get them through the indoor phase of their life.
- Cost: The cost of starting seeds isn’t just the seeds themselves. Many other implements are needed for a seed to make it out into the garden: seeds, soil, seed trays, plug/cell flats, lights, heat mats, electricity, water, your time. Many of these items are an investment and overtime can make the cost of seedlings go down significantly.
5. Identify Your Goals
- If you’re planning on planting a one-and-done perineal garden/landscape and don’t expect be starting seeds each season, you might want to look at purchasing transplants from your reputable local greenhouse/nursery to save you time and money!
- If you’re looking to incorporate annuals into your garden year after year, the upfront investment for starting seeds can be well worth the time and effort!
- Review what your gardening goals are and try both methods to see what works best for you and your garden!
Blog written by Liz Pelletier