Starting Seeds Outdoors

1. Choose the Container. Seeds can be started in many types of containers. Consider peat pots, expandable peat or coir pellets, or pots made from composted cow manure. If you prefer plastic pots there are options from 3 inch pots to multiple sizes of 6 packs. Our favorite way to start seeds is the Bio Dome. More on the Bio Dome to come.
2. Growing Medium. Generally speaking, you will be more successful if you use a soilless mix to plant your seeds in. The tiny fragile roots sometimes have trouble getting through actual soil. You might be able to use the pellets that expand when you add water. Once they are expanded, you can plant one or two seeds in each.
3. Watering. Bottom-water your seedlings. Adding water on top of the seedlings encourages damping off. Pathogens attack your seedlings at the soil level, causing the stem to rot and kill the plant. You can help prevent this by bottom-watering. Cover your pots or place them in a plastic bag to keep the humidity stable until they germinate. As soon as they have germinated, remove the plastic to allow air circulation.
4. Light. You will need to provide 12-14 hours a day of light for your seedlings. More is better. You will have to use grow lights, either LED or wide spectrum fluorescent. Position the grow light several inches above your seedlings and raise it as the seedlings grow.
5. Heat. Some seeds like to be warm to germinate. Refer to the seed packet for which seeds need heat. The best and easiest way to provide the warmth they require is with a heat mat. Just place the mat under your tray of seed starts, and you’re set.