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How to Start Garden Plants Inside

By Paula Cottle 23/07/2022 6 mins read

You are not the only one who is curious about how to grow your garden plants indoors. There are many methods you can follow. But before you attempt it yourself, read this guide to avoid common mistakes. The first step in the process is to plant seedlings. After carefully prepping the seed, you need to harden it. Next, water them. You should fertilize them every other day. You can also transplant them outside after the first hard winter.

Growing plants from seeds is similar to learning to use a computer.

Getting your hands dirty with your garden is an excellent way to start gardening earlier than you would otherwise. All you need is the proper light, simple equipment and a few seeds. You can start by starting with some simple varieties. The easiest plants to grow from seed are tomatoes, marigolds (zinnia and coleus), basil, zinnia and coleus. You can also start your plants indoors by using the seeds from a few fussy species, including cos, geraniums, and sago.

Avoid common mistakes

Gardeners often make the most common mistake when planting their garden plants indoors. They underestimate the amount of light they need to grow them. This leads to tall, unstable plants with stem breaks. For young plants, such as fruit trees and vegetables, you need light to grow. This is 12 to 14 hours per day. You should ensure that the soil you use to plant seeds indoors is rich in nutrients. Don't use soil from your backyard as this will introduce diseases and pests.

Always use high quality soil. It is important that the soil be nutrient rich and free from undesirable weeds. Without this, your seeds may die or sprout slowly and your plants may become weaker. Before you start your seeds, amend the soil with compost. Do not plant old seeds. Old seeds have a shorter shelf life and will eventually end up in the ground. Indoors, seeds will germinate slower, be weaker, and lose their vitality.

Seed-starting is a wonderful way to extend your gardening seasons by a few more months. The seedling period is when plants become most vulnerable to disease or drowning. They require extra attention during this period to ensure their survival. Despite the many benefits of planting plants inside, mistakes can make the process very difficult. To maximize your chances of success, avoid these common mistakes when planting garden plants indoors. These steps will help you plant your garden plants quickly and get your harvest sooner than you expected.

You can start seeds indoors. Many plants are not able to tolerate cold temperatures. The cold and soil they are exposed will cause stress. These stress-wreaked plants will be more susceptible to diseases and pests. You can transplant them outdoors approximately four to six months after the seedlings were started. Remember that they should be at least eight degrees Fahrenheit outside. Your plants will not be over stressed by this.

Watering

Make sure you water your plants correctly indoors. Indoor gardeners tend to use sinks or bathtubs. Use large saucers or containers to water your plants. Make sure the container doesn't have drainage holes, and that it is large enough to hold several inches of water. Also, avoid wetting foliage, which can lead to disease. You can watch this video to learn how to water your plants inside.

Your indoor plants should be watered at the right times of the day. Winter is often when indoor plants are dormant. They don't need as many water as they would in the summer. To keep plants from drying out too fast before temperatures drop in the evening, it is a good idea for them to be watered in the morning. If you don't have the time to water plants in the morning, they'll likely suffer.

Most plants require water every day, but some plants may need to be watered weekly or monthly. No matter the season or time of year, most plants require water more often during summer than in winter. Even though the temperature is the same, it will affect the growth of plants. The angle, length, as well as the quality of the sun can all have an impact on the plant's growth. For example, a succulent might go several months without watering. A tropical plant, however, may require watering twice weekly. Ideally, your indoor plants will receive more water in summer than they do in winter.

The evaporation rate of hot weather is high and water evaporates before the plants can use it. You can add extra water to your plants with an irrigation system to make sure they are healthy throughout the day. If you notice they are becoming dry, you should ensure they get enough water. If you want them to stay looking great for longer periods of time, it is important that you water them often.

Hardening

Two weeks before the last frost date is the best time to plant your garden. During this time, you should protect your plants and not fertilize them. You should keep the soil moist during hardening. Houseplants need less hardening than those who prefer direct sunlight. It is recommended that you harden your houseplants at least six to eight weeks old. However, you may transplant them later if desired.

For most garden plants, hardening is an important part of the start process. This is vital because these plants still haven't learned to deal well with hot and cold conditions. They must be taught to adapt and to grow stronger to withstand extreme cold and heat. They could become sunburnt, wilting, and even die. This audio version teaches you how to harden your plants indoors.

Although seedlings can survive in controlled environments, they will struggle to thrive outside for the first few weeks. They are less accustomed to temperature changes and are more susceptible to dying. Hardening off helps your plants gradually transition to a garden environment and produce more quickly. You can also use a cold frame to help your plants harden indoors. A cold frame can be purchased if you are unsure.

It is important to remember that garden plants dry faster outside than inside when it comes to hardening them. You should water your plants thoroughly before bringing them outdoors. A bucket or tub can be used to hold pots. It can be used as a windbreak to protect the plants' foliage. In addition to this, hardening off your plants can save you money in the long run.

Transplantation

You can grow your garden plants inside if it is too frigid outside. Before you plant them in your garden, it's important to dry the plants. The process involves exposing the transplants for at least a week to the elements. If you are unsure of when to transplant your seeds outdoors, it is best to do so in the late afternoon/early evening. Continue to water your plants until they sprout new foliage.

Use seedling trays to grow plants in a container. These trays have pockets for seedlings. These trays can be used again and again for many years. After every use, wash and disinfect your seedling trays. Because they are vital for seed germination, your seedling trays should have a drip tray with a cover. Start your seeds, then keep them in a cool location for at most two weeks before you transplant them outdoors.

Label seedlings when sowing. This will allow you to identify them easily and help you plant them in your garden. Label the seed container with the name of the plant. For easy identification, you can use popsicle sticks or permanent ink pens. These labels should be kept near the pot's edge. These labels will help your plants identify themselves and decide which plants are ready to go outside.

The soil should remain moist, but not too dry. The soil should be moist but not too damp. This will cause the seeds to rot. Seeds that are too dry will also be susceptible to disease. Use a seed-starting mixture that minimizes the possibility of sensitive seedlings contracting disease. Recycled or biodegradable containers are recommended. One of the most common types of seedling containers is a biodegradable flat or a six-pack, which you can use for multiple years.

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FAQ

What is your favorite vegetable garden layout?

It is important to consider where you live when planning your vegetable garden. For easy harvesting, you can plant vegetables together if the area is large. You should plant your vegetables in groups if you live outside of the city. This will ensure maximum yield.

What vegetables are good to grow together and what are the best?

Tomatoes and peppers can be grown together because they prefer similar soil conditions. They work well together as tomatoes need heat to ripen and peppers need lower temperatures for optimal flavor. If you want to try growing them together, start seeds indoors about six weeks before planting them. Once the weather warms up, transplant the tomato and pepper plants outdoors.

Do I need special equipment to grow vegetables in my garden?

Not really. All you need are a trowel or shovel and a watering can.

Statistics

Most tomatoes and peppers will take 6-8 weeks to reach transplant size so plan according to your climate! - ufseeds.com
According to a survey from the National Gardening Association, upward of 18 million novice gardeners have picked up a shovel since 2020. (wsj.com)
According to the National Gardening Association, the average family with a garden spends $70 on their crops—but they grow an estimated $600 worth of veggies! - blog.nationwide.com
As the price of fruit and vegetables is expected to rise by 8% after Brexit, the idea of growing your own is now better than ever. (countryliving.com)

External Links

bonnieplants.com

almanac.com

First and Last Frost Dates by ZIP Code

How To

How do I keep weeds out of my vegetable garden?

The biggest threat to the growth of healthy vegetables is weeds. They vie for water, nutrients sunlight and space. These tips can help prevent them taking over your garden.