Seed Starting!

Here’s everything you need to start seeds at home! I’ve owned most of these products since I first started my garden in 2022.

The seed starter trays are reusable, year after year. I recommend purchasing a metal wire shelf, where you can set up 4 levels of seed starts. I have 3 levels set up with the 6-pack of grow lights, which are hanging from the rack above with metal clips. The heat mats will be important for germination and for peppers specifically, you’ll keep them on until you’re ready to plant them out. You will need to set up some fans as well.

I can’t stress this enough – adequate, adjustable, BRIGHT lights are critical. You’ll want them very close to the seeds when they germinate to prevent them getting leggy. Last year I half-assed it, and my garden starts weren’t great as a result.

You’ll want to purchase bagged soil to start your seeds indoors – I suggest this as it’s more sterile than topsoil, so you can rest assured that if something has sprouted, it is the seeds you planted, not random weeds.  I like ProMix, which you can get at Home Depot, I have also used MiracleGro in the past.  When you plant your starts out later in the season, I suggest you purchase a few years of local topsoil from a source you trust! Ask around in your local gardening Facebook group for recommendations here.

When these starts get larger, you will likely need to transfer them before potting them out.  You can use red solo cups if needed, but I really like the products from Bootstrap Farmer (will outline in a post later this season when this becomes applicable.)