Are you interested in learning how to start seeds indoors without a greenhouse? I am doing just that and learned some lessons while starting seeds indoors.
In Part 5, of this informative series, I’ll share some tips and mistakes I’ve made and learned from.
If you’ve been following along my seed starting journey, today we are chatting all about how my seed starts are doing. the good, the bad, and things I’ve learned while sowing seeds indoors.
In cased you missed Parts 1-4 of this series:
- Overview of How to Start Seeds Indoors
- Supplies Needed to Start Seeds Indoors
- 7 Simple Tips to Getting Organized Before Starting Seeds Indoors
- What You Need to Know About Sowing Seeds Indoors
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Update on Starting Seeds Indoors
It’s been a few weeks now since I started my sweet peas, snapdragons, iceland poppies and larkspur.
So here’s a quick update on how they are all doing and what I’ve learned.
Sweet Pea Seed Starts
So far, almost all of the sweet peas I planted took and seem to be doing well.
I’ve been keeping them hydrated and started cutting them back after they grew 3 sets of leaves to encourage a bushy growth habit.
Since these are the first seeds I sowed, I am really hoping they all make it to planting day outside.
Iceland Poppies
The iceland poppies are also doing pretty well. Most if not all are growing.
After sowing the seeds in trays, I read that they are not fans of being transplanted.
This raises an issue because, at some point, these will get transplanted to the garden.
So I’ll need to research best practices to accommodate these fussy seedlings and have low expectations that they’ll take outside.
Sad I know, but you live and you learn.
Let’s hope for the best!
Snapdragons
So far, I’ve had great success starting my snapdragons.
They all germinated and seem to be doing very well.
Since the seeds were so small, I planted a few in each pot, so I’ll need to thin these out soon.
Note: If you start snapdragons from seed, they do not need to be started on heat mats as they prefer cooler temps. My seeds sprouted within a few days.
Larkspur
I started my larkspur two weeks ago and they are just starting to germinate.
In hindsight, I should have researched this one more before sowing these seeds indoors.
The seeds should have been chilled in the freezer prior to sowing to promote faster germination.
But I also read these seeds can take about 2-3 weeks to germinate.
So we wait.
Lesson learned.
Next Up On my Seed Starting Journey
Zinnias, Phlox, Cosmos and Sunflowers are the next seeds to be sowed.
I’ve decided to direct sow both the sunflowers and cosmos outdoors in early May.
I’ll need to keep an eye on the weather though since a late frost can be an issue.
Where Will These Seed Starts Be Planted in the Garden?
This week, I dismantled the existing vegetable bed that is located in front of the garden shed.
This will become the new location for the cutting garden and all of my seed starts.
But what about the vegetable garden?
We are completely moving and renovating the vegetable garden as raised beds in the middle of the backyard.
It is the best location for receiving full sun, closer to my kitchen, closer to a water source, and will be easier to access.
More on the new vegetable garden later.
7 Lessons I Learned From Sowing Seeds Indoors
- As much as I love using biodegradable pots, they stayed really moist early on and grew a little mold around the outside of them. They are doing OK now, but I prefer using recycled and reusable plastic moving forward. It’s less risky.
- I wish I paid attention to the number of seeds in a packet and how to sow them. I should have bought more seeds of sweet peas and snapdragons – I wanted a lot more of those. Since my suburban garden can only fit so much, I bought only one seed packet of each variety.
- Turn heat mats around so the cord hangs down in the back of your shelving. Seems kind of obvious, but apparently not to me. I was so excited to start and get my sweet peas on the mats that I set it up without really thinking about it.
- If you use the seed starting kits, I was not a fan of dealing with the pellets. I wound up tossing those and using seed starting mix instead.
- Calculate the most heat mats you will need at one time. I overbought heat mats and need to return a few.
- Not all seeds need to be started on a heat mat.
- Read each seed packet before sowing AND research best practices for that particular seed. Different seeds need different accommodations before and after sowing.
My good friend Kim from Shiplap and Shells grows gorgeous flowers in the Pacific Northwest and has the most amazing garden!
She starts all of her seeds in this beautiful greenhouse.
I can’t wait to see how her seed starts are doing so far this year!
Want To Get More Organized to Start Seeds?
CLICK HERE to get my FREE DOWNLOADABLE PRINTABLE that will help you get organized to sow seeds this year.
Print as many pages as you want and add them to your gardening journal for ease of reference during the growing season.
How to Start Seeds Indoors Without a Greenhouse Series
- Overview of How to Start Seeds Indoors Without a Greenhouse
- Supplies for Starting Seeds Indoors Without a Greenhouse
- 7 Simple Tips to Getting Organized Before Starting Seeds Indoors
- What You Need to Know About Sowing Seeds Indoors
- 7 Lessons I Learned While Sowing Seeds Indoors (you are here)
- What You Need to Know About Hardening Off Plants
- How to Plant a Garden After Starting Seeds Indoors
- 7 Lessons I Learned From Growing a Cut Flower Garden
- How to Keep Fresh Flowers Longer
- Cut Flower Gardening for Beginners
Shop for Seed Starting and Garden Supplies
Get a jump on the gardening season and shop for seed starting and garden supplies now. Here are my faves.
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Stacy Ling
Stacy Ling is author of the best selling book, The Bricks 'n Blooms Guide to a Beautiful and Easy-Care Flower Garden, and writes the blog Bricks ’n Blooms from her 1850 farmhouse located in zone 6b northern New Jersey. She is a master gardener who’s been gardening for over 25 years and enjoys sharing her passion to help beginners find their inner green thumb, as well as discover a love for all things plants and flowers. Stacy loves to bring the outdoors inside her home and decorates with a comfy, casual, and cottagecore style. Come grow stuff and create beautiful spaces with her.
