For most gardeners, getting a head start on the growing season can make all the difference. However, for many of us, the idea of investing in expensive seed starting systems can be daunting. The good news? You don’t have to break the bank to get your seeds sprouting. In this blog post, I’ll show you some cost-effective strategies for setting up your own seed starting system without sacrificing quality or results.
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The Basics: Understanding Seed Starting
All seeds need five essentials to grow: Seed, soil, sunlight, warmth and water. If seeds do not have or have inadequate sources of any of these five essentials, they will not thrive.
- Seed: The beauty of seed starting is that YOU pick the variety of plants you want to grow. Nurseries and big box stores often carry plants to purchase, but they are getting more expensive by the minute. I have no problem using these options for backup, but mastering seed starting is truly a satisfying accomplishment.
- Soil: There are many blogs on how to create the perfect soil for seed starting. I find you are better off choosing a quality “seed starting” mix or simply a good potting soil.
- Sunlight: Seedlings need a minimum of 6-8 hours of direct sunlight or 12-15 hours of artificial lighting to grow healthy. This is where I messed up in the past and did not have an adequate source of lighting. My results were always leggy, puny plants that did not produce well. If you have a window that faces South and gets a lot of lighting then you have it made! If you’re like me and do not, you will need supplemental lighting.
- Warmth: Seeds need warmth in order to germinate. Most seeds germinate when the temperature is between 68-86 degrees. Some growers purchase heat mats to help with this. If you are starting seeds in a room with heat or using supplemental lighting, these mats are not necessary.
- Water: This is essential for any living plant. I use a simple spray bottle to keep the top of the soil moist for germination.
DIY Seed Starting Containers
Anything that will hold soil and provide drainage is good for your seed starting system. Plastic yogurt or baby food cups are excellent, as well as the old red solo cup. Simply poke some holes in the bottom of the plastic to provide drainage and water absorption. I have large solo cups for plants that I only want to start and transplant once like tomatoes, but keep in mind these cups take up a lot of room. This year I purchased some inexpensive seed starting trays to start most of my seedlings in. I plan to upgrade to better trays in the future, but these work perfectly for now. Inexpensive foil baking pans found at most dollar stores provide an excellent base to set your cups in to catch excess water.
Don’t forget to mark your seedlings so you know what is growing! I have made this mistake in the past, and ended up staring at the plant trying to figure out what the heck I grew :). This year, I purchased these fun colored plant labels that comes with a permanent marker.
Budget-Friendly Lighting Solutions
Of course, having a huge South-facing window is the optimal seed starting light source. There are many expensive growing systems out there for purchase, but you don’t need specific grow lights in order to achieve the same effect. There are two cheaper sources of light you can choose from.
- Fluorescent lighting: A 2 or 4-foot fluorescent shop light is perfect for indoor seed starting. T8 and T12 are the standard light system. For 10×20″ seed trays, you will need 2 shop lights (4 bulbs per light system). Fluorescent is the cheapest way to provide light for seedlings, but they cost more energy to run, have a short lifespan, and put off a lot of heat. When starting seeds, position this lighting approximately 6 inches from the seed trays.
- LED lighting: LED lights produce a high quality of light while requiring less energy to operate. When looking for LED lighting, choose a minimum of 5,000K (Kelvin) and 2,000 lumens. This minimum produces a white (sunlight) light that is perfect for growing plants. LEDs are more expensive than fluorescents, BUT they last for a very long time, burn cooler, and require less energy. For 10-20″ seed trays, you will need 2 shop lights (2 bulbs per light system). LED shop lights do not need to be positioned as close to seed trays as fluorescent.
As with both lighting systems, use the provided hanging chains and S-hooks to position your lights. If your seedlings look to be stretching toward the light, that means your light source needs to be closer to the plants. Likewise if your seedlings look pale or brown, your lights are too close and you need to raise them up and away from the plant. It’s always a good idea to keep a daily check on your seedlings.
Choosing the Right Soil Mix
Most professional seed starting sources use a special mix of soils and accompaniments to germinate their seeds. Not only do you need to purchase all the requirements, but you also need to mix them in the right proportions….The heck with that! Seeds start just fine using a simple potting mix or a mix labeled as “seed starting” mix. I am using the seed mix this year and find that it provides great moisture retention with adequate drainage.
Thrifty Seed Selection Tips
This time of year, seeds can be pricey. I purchase quality seeds from MIGardener and BakerCreek and have found their seeds to be inexpensive. Plus, they have excellent heirloom seeds that can be hard to find. Last year at the end of the growing season, I got a TON of seed packets from my local farm supply store FOR FREE! All stores must get rid of their seeds at the end of the year because of the expiration date, but here’s a tip: Most seeds don’t expire! Kept in a cool and dry location, seeds can last for years if not decades. The only exception I have found so far is carrot seed. They seem to lose germination rate the older they get. Keep this in mind at the end of the season and look for bargains.
Timely Starting of Seeds
Every seed packet lists planting instructions, germination, temperature, planting depth, plant spacing, frost hardiness, and sun requirements. Some seeds do best directly sown in the ground, especially root crops like carrots, beets, and radish. Planting instructions list best start time for planting indoors. You will want to count backwards from your last estimated frost date in your area when considering seed starting time. For spring, I like to start brassicas like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and brussel sprouts in early March for planting in April. These crops can tolerate light frosts and actually do better in cool weather.
Although peppers do not tolerate cool weather, I like to start them also in March as they take a long time to grow, 8-12 weeks. On the other hand, tomatoes grow very quickly so I wait to start them in April. Other plants I like to start early indoors is lettuce and kale varieties. With these plants, I can plant starts outdoors in the early spring and also direct sow seeds for a later crop. As with brassicas, lettuce does best in cooler weather.
One more thing
In the outdoors, wind blows constantly across seedlings and help the plant grow a strong and sturdy base. This year, I am mimicking that outdoor breeze with a simple fan. I set my fan to gently blow across the seedlings without too much force. The light sway of the plants encourage them to grow strong.
My Seed Starting System Resources
Here is a list of all the items I am using for my indoor seed starting system:
- 4-ft wide heavy duty wire rack
- LED shop lights (2 pack) – I purchased two
- Seed starting mix
- Seed starting trays
- Plant labels
- Spray bottle
- Table top fan
Other Resources
Check out my other blogs on more garden topics:
- Seed starting indoors guide for your spring garden
- How to grow sweet potato slips
- How to make seed tapes
- A guide for preparing your garden for spring planting
With a bit of creativity and resourcefulness, you can create a top-notch seed starting system without breaking the bank. By following these tips and strategies, you’ll be well on your way to a successful growing season without emptying your wallet. So roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty, and watch your garden thrive – all while keeping costs low. As always, thanks for stopping by!
This is a great guide for those of us seed starting on a budget!