skip to main content

Growing from Seed

vege garden newbie-how to start seeds indoors

17 years ago

I am starting to plan my vegetable garden (first time) and want to start some plants from seed indoors. I have a garage and want to rig (or buy) something that will have a greenhouse effect. Living in the Pacific Northwest means that it stays in the 40's & 50's at night right up to May-June. I was thinking of buying one of those small portable plastic type deals that just zippers in the front. Do you need to put any kind of additional heat in there to keep it at a certain temperature? It's going to be a small vege garden, so I don't need a walk-in kind, just a 4-shelf bookcase style one. Could someone please tell me how I can accomplish this?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

maineman
17 years ago
Judy,

Years ago I had one of the inexpensive plastic enclosed light stands, but I discontinued using it after the first year because its 24-inch fluorescent lights weren't very bright and it didn't hold very many standard 11" x 22" seed trays. And it had other problems, like falling apart if you tried to move it.

The plastic cover also greatly hindered air circulation which, in turn, encouraged Damping Off, white surface fungus, green algae moss, and other problems.

I now use small electric fans to "exercise" my seedlings as soon as they come up. The gentle breeze from the fans also dries the surface of the growing medium to discourage Damping Off, etc.

Put a thermometer in your garage to monitor its temperature, if you don't already have one there. You may not need any auxilliary heat, because the fluorescent tubes themselves provide some warmth for your seedlings. And you may want to get some seed starter heating mats to accelerate the germination and growth of your seedlings, and those electric mats or heating cables will also provide some warmth.

You might find it helpful to read the Inexpensive Seed Starting System message thread in the Growing Under Lights forum.

MM
0
gw:judy-gardener
17 years ago
Thanks! I will definitely look into these options. What temperature is best for the germination time? And, is it different once the seedlings sprout?
0
Related Discussions
Vege Garden Newbie!!! Planting seeds indoors
Q
Comments (9)
i'm very fortunate in that my 1 car garage is heated and cooled, so it's ideal for wintering stuff, and starting things pre-season with simple and inexpensive lights....if i were not so lucky as to have this situation, i would attempt to create a small space that i could gain control of temperature wise....i like your notion of the bookshelf style mini greenhouse, and i would take that a step further and try to provide a light source and a heat source....this obviously would have a great deal to do with the sort of lights you opt for...i have tremendous success with fluorescents, but they are not a significant source of warmth....ideally, you'll want something with a thermostat, and in the garage, i think your best bet would be an electric device...personally, i would try a small ceramic heater, or maybe a small heat lamp, positioned so as to not be too intense, but to keep the interior of your hothouse warmer than it's surroundings (remember your gradeschool science lessons: heat rises)....in the end, experimentation is your best bet....i'm certain you'll find the right formula if you keep trying.... good growing, and many blessings to you and yours, doug
...See More
Can peanuts be started indoors? How about light-seeded sesame?
Q
Comments (4)
I do not advise you to try starting peanuts indoors. They have a relatively shallow root system and do not like to be transplanted, nor do they like their roots disturbed. Plant them when the soil really warms up and count 110 days or so to harvest. This is one of my favorite plants to grow because they make "pegs", unlike any other plant, except Goober Peas from Africa (I got some seeds for them to try this year!). You need a lot of room for them and the soil has to be fluffy all around so that the pegs aren't inhibited. This is very hard to do given that they don't like soil disturbance so rototilling is out. The growing area must be weed free. I'm trying shredded newspaper this year but a fluffy mulch should work too, but probably not leaves that mat down. Sesame takes 90 days of true hot tropical weather and full days of baking sun. The seeds will rot in cool or wet soils. I have not had success growing them. Our weather is too variable. But it may be fun to try again and will plant them in June. Let us know how you fared. You also might want to post this question on the Vegetable Forum. I'd be interested in what the guru's over there had as answers. And, please post when you've finished your experiments! Nancy the nancedar
...See More
Another indoor garden starting question
Q
Comments (2)
my research suggest strawberries don't need too much N. And others here say the same for peppers. tomatoes, on the other hand, love the stuff. last season, I used the same nutrient formula for my tomatoes the entire season. my largest tomato was 1lb 2(i believe)ozs. the plants were about 7' tall when I stopped watering them. When I grew peppers two seasons ago, I did eventually swith over to bloom solution and then got several fruits before the plants took a nose dive over a long weekend. though as mentioned elsewhere, it was probably the high N solution I was using at first that kept them from setting fruit earlier. I guess what I'm saying is tomatoes and peppers don't needdifferent solutions for different growth phases in order to be productive, though the purists will say you're not maximizing efficiency. also, neither of them are dependent on light cycle to dictate when flowers produce. they are time dependent(or probably actually growth dependent). I'll leave the other veggies for others to reply about. One other thought: being unemployed, is this really the time to get into hydro? I mean it can be an expensive habit. . .er hobby. yeah, hobby is what I meant, especially when doing it indoors with artificial lights.
...See More
starting seeds indoors
Q
Comments (2)
Hi mnlamb. I wouldn't bother with sqash, cucumbers, beans, or peas. They all grow really fast and should generally have the seeds planted right in the garden. Possibly the same for beets as I've never seen seedlings sold for root plants like beets or carrots or parsnips. Kohlrabi could definitely be started indoors as well as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and brussel sprouts. Onions and okra can be started indoors. Here's my favorite site for finding out WHEN each kind of seed should be started. Herbs can be started indoors as well. Here is a link that might be useful: When to plant?
...See More

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Seeds or Seedlings? How to Get Your Garden Started

By Abundant City

Growing delicious herbs and vegetables starts with knowing your goals and when you want to plant

CONTAINER GARDENS 8 Easy Container Plants to Grow From Seed

Get beautiful blooms and herbs in summer by starting these choice garden picks from seed in spring

FARM YOUR YARD 6 Things to Know Before You Start Growing Your Own Food

By Abundant City

It takes time and practice, but growing edibles in the suburbs or city is possible with smart prep and patience

MOST POPULAR How to Start a Cool-Season Vegetable Garden

By Marianne Lipanovich

Late summer and late winter are good times to plan and plant cool-season crops like salad greens, spinach, beets, carrots and peas

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES A Quick-Start Guide to Bird-Watching for Fun and Learning

By Alison Hodgson

Set out some seed and grab your field guide. Bird-watching is an easy, entertaining and educational activity for the whole family

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Citrus 101: Start Your Own Backyard Orchard

By Vanessa Brunner

This Earth Day Weekend, Add Some Green, Style and Deliciousness to Your Landscape

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Tips to Start a Garden — Can-Do Ideas for Beginners

By Alison Hodgson

Green up your landscape even if you're short on time, money and knowledge, with these manageable steps for first-time gardeners

GARDENING GUIDES Get a Head Start on Planning Your Garden Even if It’s Snowing

By Marianne Lipanovich

Reviewing what you grew last year now will pay off when it’s time to head outside

GARDENING GUIDES How to Stop Worrying and Start Loving Clay Soil

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Clay has many more benefits than you might imagine

HOUSEPLANTS How to Grow Orchids Indoors

By Marianne Lipanovich

Orchids are the exotic aristocrats of the flower world and can make themselves comfortable in almost any home

Sponsored

More Discussions

Got my seed sowing schedule done today

18

New GMO tomato seed released for sale to home gardeners

10

Need help growing Paulownia Tomentosa from seed.

20

Staghorn Sumac - Help with sprouting seeds

1

9