Starting flowers indoors (newbie)

14 years ago

Hi all. I'm not new to gardening, but I am new to starting seeds indoors. I was just going to wait another 3 or 4 weeks and plant them directly in the garden, but I am getting impatient and would like to get a head start. The weather is so crazy lately, and we are still getting frosts here almost nightly.

My question, since I am totally new to this, can I use an empty "flat" that I saved from my impatiens last year and use that to plant the seeds? Instead of peat pellets, can I use straight peat, which I already have on hand, and put that in the cells? I do not have a big, sunny window. Should I purchase some sort of grow light to get them going? Would I need to cover them with plastic or something to keep in moisture until they germinate? Sorry for all the questions. The few times I tried to start from seed, they ended up molding. I used regular garden soil and put a plastic bag around them. Ended up throwing them out. The ones that tried to survive got so leggy. I just had them in a sunny windowsill. That sill is not large enough for many plants though.

If there is a link for beginners, I'd love to have it. I will continue surfing here, but some starting tips would be appreciated. If I need a lot of fancy equipment, heating pads, etc., I will just wait a few more weeks and plant the seeds in the garden.

Thanks a million!

Sandy

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Comments (3)

digdirt2
14 years ago
Hi Sandy - here is a link to all the seed starting FAQs here and they cover all the basics. Then if you have more questions just let us know.

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: Growing from Seed FAQs
pondluvr
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you, Dave! I feel so dumb. I thought I had looked at the FAQ and didn't really find much info. Reason why? I clicked the WRONG link and was actually looking at something not related to the FAQ.

I read through all the links. Very helpful, and thorough. One question: Can I use straight sphagnum peat as my growing medium? I also have some perlite if it would be better to mix the two. I will be using recycled flats, and prefer to keep the seedlings growing in this medium until I transplant outdoors in the garden. What do you think? I'm so excited to give this a try! I just have to rig up a shop light in the basement and I'll be set.

Thanks for the help!

Sandy
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digdirt2
14 years ago
One question: Can I use straight sphagnum peat as my growing medium? I also have some perlite if it would be better to mix the two.

Straight peat isn't recommended as it is too acidic, difficult to get wet and then retains too much moisture once it is - seeds rot. If you want to go that route - and I don't recommend it - then mix it with the perlite 2 parts peat to 1 part perlite and buy some ag lime to fix the pH problem. Add 1 T of the powdered lime to each 6 quarts of the peat/perlite mix.

It is much easier and you'll have much greater success if you just buy a bag of soil-less seed starting mix.

Dave