Tips for Seed Starting Success
Starting plants from seed can save you money, extend your garden season, and be lots of fun. Increase your success with these few tips.
Read the directions on the seed packet. Quality seeds provide all the information on indoor and outdoor growing dates, sprouting directions and seedling care.
Always start with clean containers and sterile potting or seed starting mix. Clean previously used containers with a one-part bleach to nine-parts water solution. Youll avoid damping off and other diseases that can prevent sprouting or kill the seedlings.
Once planted, place containers in a warm location to speed sprouting. Keep the soil moist. Cover seeded containers with wet newspaper or plastic to conserve moisture and reduce your need to water. Remove the cover once the seeds sprout.
Move seedlings to a sunny window or under artificial lights as soon as they break through the ground.
A bit more information: Regularly turn containers growing in a sunny window to encourage even growth. Continually adjust artificial lights, so they remain 4 to 6 inches above the tops of the seedlings.
Related

Audio

Audio
Categories
Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars
Feb. 12, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Organic Insect Pest Management for Vegetable and Flower Gardens
Register here
Feb. 14-16, 2025
NARI Milwaukee Spring Home Improvement Show
West Allis, WI
Feb. 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Strategies for Managing Invasive Plants
Register here
Feb. 26, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Create a Beautiful Shade Garden
Register here
Feb. 27, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
How to Select Rain Garden Plants
Register here
March 12, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Grow Pollinator-friendly Spring and Summer Flowering Bulbs
Register here
March 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Be a Waterwise Gardener
Register here
March 22, 23, 29, 30, 2025
REALTORS Home & Garden Show
West Allis, WI
March 26, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Succession Planting & Crop Rotation
Register here
March 27, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Rain Garden Q & A
Register here
April 2, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Container Gardens for Sun & Shade
Register here
April 10, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Reinvigorate Your Rain Garden
Register here
May 7, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Vertical Gardening
Register here
May 15, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
7 Steps to Managing Water on Your Property
Register here
June 4, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Attracting Hummingbirds
Register here
WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
Learn More