Bedford County Cooperative Extension - Starting Seeds Indoors

Starting Seeds Indoors

by Melanie Barkley
Penn State Cooperative Extension Agent in Bedford County

In late winter the garden seed catalogs begin arriving by the dozens, and we can start thinking about starting seeds for flower and vegetable plants. Growing your own transplants can be rewarding as long as you follow a few guidelines.

Seeds can be started in a wide variety of containers. Many types of plastic flats and packs are available in local garden and department stores. You grow each plant in a cell and don’t have to remove the plant until you transplant it into your garden. Other popular containers are peat pots which are made from peat or from waste paper fibers. The plant and pot are both transplanted into the soil. Other types of pots that work well are wood flats, fiber trays, plastic trays, and clay or plastic pots.

You can use a soil or a commercial potting mix to start the seeds in. The most important thing to keep in mind is that seeds prefer a loose, well-drained, fine textured medium in which to grow. Some plant diseases are carried in the soil, so be sure that whatever medium you use, it is sterile.

Choosing your seeds is often the most difficult part of starting seeds indoors. However, once your seeds arrive you will need to plan carefully when to sow them. Plants grow at different rates and have different tolerances for cool weather. Some plants are ready as soon as four weeks after sowing, while others may take as long as 14 weeks. Check the seed package for the number of weeks to sow before the last frost date for your area. Generally, the last frost date for Bedford County is May 15.

Fill the seeding container to within 3/4 inch from the top of the container with moist soil. Whatever container you choose, be sure that it has adequate drainage for excess water. If you are planting one kind of seed in the container, you can broadcast the seed onto the soil. If planting more than one kind of seed in the same container, use a narrow board to make shallow rows in the container approximately one to two inches apart. This will help you to keep the different types of seed separated.

If using individual pots to plant your seeds, place two seeds in each pot. After the plant begins to grow, thin to one plant per pot.

Cover the seeds according to the directions on the seed packet. Larger seeds such as cucumber and melons will need planted deeper than small seeds such as tomato or marigold. A general rule of thumb is to cover the seeds with soil twice the diameter of the seed. Cover your seeding containers with a plastic bag to keep in the moisture. For larger containers, cover with a piece of window glass. You should not have to water until after the seeds have germinated.

Place the seeds in a warm location. The best temperatures for germinating are between 65 degrees and 75 degrees F, although some plants prefer cooler temperatures. As soon as the plants germinate, move to bright light and remove the plastic or glass covering. Water the seedlings when dry and add fertilizer to help them grow. Don’t forget to harden off the plants before transplanting outside in your garden.

For more information on starting seeds indoors, contact the Penn State Cooperative Extension Office in Bedford County at 623-4800 or stop by at 120
W. John Street, Suite 2, Bedford, PA 15522.

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