Starting my Seedlings

I finally started some of my indoor seedlings today.  This year, I told myself I was going to be more prepared, I would try and start my seedlings at an appropriate time, and I will try my best to ensure that my seedlings are not going to die.  I'm starting my hot pepper and tomato seedlings early due to the short growing season in my neck of the woods.  If you want to try your hand at starting your own seedlings, you'll need the following:  seedling pots, potting medium, labels, seeds, and a tray with a clear lid.

I made my own little seedling pots out of newspaper (of course you can buy the peat pots from the store or make your own out of eggshells, old tubes of towel paper or toilet paper rolls).  To better fit my own needs, I modified the method that comes from this website (http://www.gardenbetty.com/2011/03/how-to-make-recycled-newspaper-pots-for-seed-starting/).  I also purchased labels and labeled each pot.  I cannot emphasize how important to is to label your seedling pots.  Take my word for it, you will eventually forget which plant is which, no matter how wonderful you think your memory is.

Next, fill up each of the seedling pots with planting medium.  It's been recommended that potting soil not be used to start indoor seedlings because the soil may be a bit too heavy and may suffocate the seeds or the seed's tiny roots.  You can purchase soil less potting medium at the store or you can make your own.  Since I already have the necessary items to make my own planting medium, I made my own.  I use a 1:1:1 ratio of peat moss, vermiculite, and compost (of course you can do without the compost if you don't have any).  You can moisten the planting medium at this point or you can moisten it after you've planted the seeds.

I fill the pot two-thirds from the top.  I then put a seed or two into each pot and then cover the seeds with a little more potting medium.  I moisten the top of the soil with water.  Then I put the pots into the container with a lid.  There are more "professional" looking containers with lids, but I'm finding that large foil lasagna pans with plastic lids work just as fine.  I love the large head room offered by the lasagna pan and the tapered sides allow the pots to fit in better without falling over.  Put the pan in a sunny area of your house. 

So, why use a pan with a fitted lid?  Well, the pan with the fitted lid will create a little mini-greenhouse, trapping in the moisture and heat needed for the seeds' germination.  Just remember to check on your seedlings and don't forget to moisten your plants on an as-needed-basis.