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February 8, 2021 By Ellen Wells

Consider These Before Starting Seeds Indoors

My mind turns to starting seeds whenever the first week of February rolls around. When it does, I always have two simultaneous yet contrasting thoughts: Meh, it’s too early to start seeds, and OMG, I’m not prepared! What do I do with these conflicting thoughts? I take a few moments to consider the “before” of my annual seed-starting ritual.

From years of experience starting seeds in my home for my spring vegetable garden I have found that it’s just as important to prepare beforehand as it is to perform the actual task of planting seeds. Scrambling for materials and jimmying solutions to problems can lead to a lot of wasted time, energy and money. Not a good way to start the gardening season! Let’s walk through a few of these prior-to-sowing considerations and get the spring season off on the right foot.

Consider Your Garden Space

We turn to seeds because we consider them to be more cost-effective than buying seedlings. What happens to me, though, is I buy and plant way more seeds than my garden space can handle when all of those seedlings mature. Seed packets typically have spacing suggestions for when the seedlings are ready to plant out in the garden. This will help you determine how many seeds to plant. Jotting down a quick wish list of crops and then sketching a rough garden plan will help you be more planful of how many seeds you should plant.

Consider Your Indoor Seed Starting Space

Where will you grow your seeds? Will you be growing on a windowsill? Do you have space in a corner to set up a shelf (or two!) with a grow lamp? Is the space somewhat warm or are your windows letting in a growth-slowing draft? Will you have enough space to grow them all inside as small plants before they head outside?

You can save some room by planting only seeds that need to be started before the last frost date, such as tomatoes, peppers and eggplant. Crops like squash and bean seeds can wait until the ground is warm enough so you can directly sow seeds into your soil, saving you a ton of growing space indoors.

Assemble Your Materials for Starting Seeds

1. Containers

You can start your seeds in any sort of container you have—old yogurt cups, cleaned pots you kept from last year or even seed-starting trays specially made for the purpose (Fertil US makes a terrific wood fiber biodegradable version). Whatever you use, your container must have drainage holes to allow excess moisture to drain. Soggy, soaking seeds? No bueno. And it’s certainly helpful to have a saucer or tray to catch any drips coming out of those drainage holes, too.
By the way, if you are reusing plastic pots, be sure to wash them to remove old soil and debris, and sanitize by soaking in a 10% bleach solution (hydrogen peroxide works, too) and rinse thoroughly.

2 Seed-starting mix

Fill your containers with a soilless mix specially formulated for providing an optimal germinating environment for seeds. These mixes, such as Organic Mechanics’ Seed Starting Blend, contain a combination of organic materials that holds enough moisture to create a germination-friendly environment while also ensuring it drains adequately. The Seed Starting Blend from Organic Mechanics is also “pre-charged” with a certified organic fertilizer that will power your emerging seedlings for up to four weeks. 

3. Seeds!

Seed-starting wouldn’t happen without the seeds! The information included on the seed packet itself is invaluable, so do keep it well after the seeds are planted. In most cases the packet will explain how deep to plant the seeds, when you should sow seeds indoors so the seedlings are ready to plant after your area’s last frost date and when you can expect the seeds to begin germinating.

There you have it—a plan for your future garden, an assessment of your indoor growing space and an idea of the materials you’ll need. Go on and open those seed catalogs (we love Hudson Valley Seed!) or shop your local plant store’s seed stands and get your garden season off to a confident start.

Filed Under: Articles, Learning Center Tagged With: Mark Highland, Organic Mechanics, organic seed starting mix, spring garden, starting organic vegetable. seeds, starting seeds

Previous Post: « An Interview with Jay Archer from Green Jay Landscaping
Next Post: Preparing Your Garden Bed for Planting »

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Summer is for planting! And we're all about it in Summer is for planting! And we're all about it in our June e-newsletter. Read about how you can join us at the #phillyflowershow @phsgardening with Planting Potting Party host @tubloom, get tips on how to water more wisely this summer—and how #insectfrass can help with that and get inspired with some fun combo container ideas. 

Looking to follow more gardeners? Meet our Happy, Smiling Customer of the month, @peoniesandpalomas and then check out @mostardinursery, an awesome area garden retailer who loves to help you grow successfully. 

Find it all—plus a promo code!—at the first link in our bio up above. Have a great, gardening-filled weekend!

#growlikeaboss 
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#organicmechanicsoil
Is planting up some summer-loving containers on yo Is planting up some summer-loving containers on your to-do list this weekend? We have some tips for you about how to prep and some ideas on how to mix 'em up. It's the topic of our latest blog post! Head over to our bio and click on the link, then select the June Blog Post. I'm kinda lovin' this salvia - what'll you plant? 
#growlikeaboss 
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It's time to get growing, people! In our May e-new It's time to get growing, people! In our May e-newsletter you'll find info on 
- the benefits of amending soils so early in the growing season
- how #biochar, #compost and #wormcastings are like Popeye's spinach
- why you shouldn't pack up your frost cloth just yet!
Also, we highlight two awesome entities, both of whom love #organicmechanics - @year_round_farmer and @capcityhydro.organics - thank you for loving our stuff! 
Read the May e-news "Ready, Set, Grow!" via the link in our bio above (Pssst: There's a promo code for Worm Castings!). Then tag us (@organicmechanicsoil) when you're using any of our soils and amendments this spring. 
So get out there and #growlikeaboss 
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#organicgardening
It's been a cool start to the veggie gardening sea It's been a cool start to the veggie gardening season. Frost cloths, landscape fabric, topdressing and getting as much pre-planting work done as possible have been on our agendas. Read all about it in our latest #organicmechanics blog post—link in our profile!
How have you been coping? Tag us in your clever crop coverings with @organicmechanicsoil #organicmechanics #growlikeaboss
@htgsupply in Cranberry Township PA today till 6pm @htgsupply in Cranberry Township PA today till 6pm! Stop by to talk soils, pick up some samples, and score killer deals on Organic Mechanics products! 

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Had a blast @urbanjunglephilly yesterday! Thanks t Had a blast @urbanjunglephilly yesterday! Thanks to all who came out to talk soils with Eric! Good to see so many Organic Mechanics, both big and small! 🌅✨🪴✨🌅

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Hey Philly, you're invited! Come down to Urban Jun Hey Philly, you're invited! Come down to Urban Jungle on Water Street today 10am-4pm to level up your organic soil game! Shop their lush and local plants, high five Eric from OM, then talk with him about the benefits of going organic with your soil and choosing the right products for a successful garden. There’s free parking available under I-95. Bring your cards, no cash, this space is card only. See ya there!!

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Hey Philly Phriends! Join Eric from Organic Mechan Hey Philly Phriends! Join Eric from Organic Mechanics at the NEW Urban Jungle retail nursery located at 1721 S. Water Street in Pennsport this Saturday from 10am-4pm. Come check out their plant selections and talk with Eric about choosing the right soil for your needs. You know us, We Work On Your Soil!

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Happy Earth Day y’all! While we strive to make e Happy Earth Day y’all! While we strive to make everyday Earth Day, today is a day to reflect on how we impact Mother Earth with everyday decisions. Collectively our actions can create impact - one garden at a time, one decision at a time. We salute each of you working to make a difference everyday! Hope y’all get to spend some time in your gardens today and this weekend!

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@htgsupply in Rock Island IL today till 6pm! 4/20 @htgsupply in Rock Island IL today till 6pm! 4/20 partay all day! Lots of Vendors. Foodtruck! Stop by to talk soils, pick up some samples, and scOrganic Mechanics products! 

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