Time to start planning for gardening arrives

Although the weather isn’t exactly garden-worthy yet, that doesn’t mean you can’t start prepping your garden for this spring and summer. Here are some tips on how to grow seedlings indoors and how to plant them in your garden when the time is right.

1. Use Growing Pellets

Growing pellets are cheap dirt pellets that absorb water and will keep a seed nice and secure. Overall, they are a great tool to use indoors and to get a head start on seedlings.

To start growing seeds in them, you first need to let the pellets absorb water. When absorbing the water they will expand and grow to a bigger size. Next, you must place the seed in the hole provided at the top of the pellet. By moving around the dirt inside the pellet, you can then cover the seed. Finally, remember to water the pellets regularly. Do so very carefully. Even though seed pellets are a great way to keep seeds safe, seeds are still very fragile. You can either let the pellets soak up water again to carefully give the seeds moisture, or many find it effective to use a spray bottle to water the pellets. The pellets are fully watered when the pellet is a dark brown color. 

But what if I can’t use seed pellets or don’t want to?

Don’t worry, there are still plenty of options to choose from in order to grow seed. You can plant them in a traditional way using a small pot, or using a dirt layer with a small tray. Just remember, seeds are still very fragile, so water carefully. Also, when using these two methods, be sure to space your seeds out properly. Different plants have different requirements to grow, like space. Typically, that can be learned by reading the back of a seed packet and its instructions, or you, of course, can do a quick Google search.

1. Carefully Monitor Growing Conditions

As it was somewhat mentioned previously, different kinds of plants need different requirements to grow. So remember to do your research. Commonly, though, when starting seedlings, it’s important to grow them in a warm environment and one that isn’t too dry. Placing seedlings next to a vent can cause the dirt to dry out quicker, taking away essential moisture the seedlings need to grow. Often the best spot for seeds is next to a southern or eastern face window, as southern windows receive the most sunlight, likely making it the warmest place in your house or an eastern-facing window, as it receives morning sunlight, cooling the seedlings in the afternoon. Again, be sure to research which conditions are best for growing your seeds. Some seeds may scorch in constant southern-facing sun, while others thrive in it.

1. When to Take Your Seedlings Outdoors

Make sure it is the last frost and or cold drop of the season. It might be hard to do in Iowa, but, usually weathermen and meteorologists have good predictions. If you take your plants outside too early, and there is a frost on the way, you can protect them by either bringing their pot inside, or by covering your plants with sheets in order to keep them safe from the frost. Finally, when the weather is perfect, do not, I repeat, do not plant your seedlings into the ground right away. These seedlings you have likely been growing for the last couple of weeks indoors are not used to the environment outside. Slowly move them outside by planting them in a small pot and placing them in a sunny spot close to your house. This will allow them to adapt to the winds, rain, etc. before being hastily planted in the ground outside. 

Now, all we have to do is wait for the right weather, be patient with our seedlings and prepare ourselves for the bounties of spring and summer. Happy gardening and good luck.