The 7 Essential Items You Need To Start Seeds Indoors
Starting seeds indoors is a generally good practice going into spring gardening. It's how many gardeners have better control over what they grow, save money, and extend the growing season. But doing it right takes more than just enthusiasm, you need the right tools to give your seedlings the best start. Here’s a practical guide to the 7 items you’ll want on hand before planting that first seed.
Seed Starting Trays or Containers
You don't need anything fancy, but you do need a place to plant. Seed starting trays are shallow and designed to support early root growth. They also let you keep many seedlings in one place. If you're working with a tight budget, small yogurt cups or egg cartons with drainage holes added can work, but the key is that they hold soil, allow for water drainage, and are easy to move and manage.
Seeds
Pick seeds that match your climate and space. Start with easy growers like tomatoes, peppers, herbs, or leafy greens. Make sure the packets are fresh and check the sow-by date. You'll also want to read the fine print. Some seeds prefer to be planted shallow, others deep. Some need warmth to germinate, others don’t. Knowing your seeds helps you plan well and see successful starts more consistently.
Light Source
Seeds don't need light to germinate, but seedlings do need strong, direct light to grow healthy and hearty. A sunny windowsill might seem like enough, but for many regions, it’s actually not. A basic LED grow light will provide more consistent light at the level seedlings need. They don’t use much energy, they stay cool, and they provide the spectrum of light that plants crave. Hang one a few inches above your plants and adjust as they grow.
Warmth and Temperature Control
Most seeds sprout best in warmth. If your home is on the cooler side, a seedling heat mat can make a big difference. It keeps soil consistently warm, which encourages quicker, more even germination. Once your seeds sprout, they no longer need that bottom heat, but for germination, especially with heat-loving plants like peppers, it's often the missing link between success and failure.
Watering Tool
Gentle is the rule when it comes to watering seedlings, as they can't handle a heavy pour from a watering can. A spray bottle or a small watering bulb lets you moisten the soil without washing seeds away or damaging young roots. Water from the bottom when possible though, letting the trays soak moisture up from below. It encourages deeper roots and reduces the risk of mold on the surface.
Humidity Dome or Cover
A plastic cover or even a piece of plastic wrap over your trays helps keep humidity in while seeds germinate. This prevents the soil from drying out too fast and maintains a warm environment. Once the seeds sprout, remove the cover to let fresh air in and reduce the risk of mold or damping-off disease.
Labels or Plant Markers
Once your trays are filled and seeds are sown, it's easy to forget what went where. Labels or other plant markers can help you keep track. Use simple plastic tags, popsicle sticks, or even masking tape on the side of your containers. Just make sure your writing won’t fade with water or time. Knowing what’s growing helps you plan when to transplant, how to care for each variety, and when to expect results.
Starting seeds is a seemingly simple act that takes a surprising amount of thought. With the right setup, you'll see green shoots before spring even arrives. And those early efforts? They often grow into the strongest plants of the season. Start simple, stay consistent, and treat these early sprouts well. They'll be the backbone of your garden in a few months!