Planning on starting seeds this spring? You’ll need these 3 things

SALT LAKE CITY — As spring approaches, some gardeners may be considering starting seeds instead of buying pre-sprouted plants. 

According to Horticulturist Liz Hamilton, with the right supplies, starting seeds can be done right in your home. 

Supplies for starting seeds 

“If it’s completely indoors and you don’t have a bright sunny window or a greenhouse, which most of us do not have, you’re going to need some supplies,” said Hamilton. 

A designated watering area can help you remember each day, especially if it’s in an area of your home you use often. 

Grow light

If your home lacks a window that gets enough direct sunlight every day, Hamilton said you’ll need a full-spectrum light, anything between 5,000 to 6,500 kelvin. 

Kelvin is a unit used to measure light temperature. According to Food52, a lower kelvin number signifies warmer shades of light. 

EZ Grow Garden recommended white LED lights. They provide ample brightness while consuming the least amount of power. And, they last the longest. 

Additionally, Hamilton said the lights need to be directly above your sprouting seeds to mimic natural sunlight as closely as possible. 

Planting vessels

Hamilton said you can plant the seeds in most containers. 

For example, recycled yogurt cups are a cheap and easy option. She recommends that gardeners poke a hole in them so excess water can drain. 

Alternatively, Hamilton said you can buy products designed to be used year after year. She uses them in her garden to cut back on plastic use. 

“They’re harder plastic … instead of throwing them away, you just take them out and disinfect them every season,” said Hamilton. 

Soil

Taun Beddes, co-host of the KSL Greenhouse Show, said he prefers high-quality soil over biodegradable peat pots. 

“The roots will break through them. I think that the idea is better in practice in my experience,” said Beddes. 

Hamilton said there are two types of soil needed for seed-starting; seed-starting mixes and potting mixes, and that both are needed.

“A seed starting mix is going to have little or no fertilizer in it … it’s going to have really, really fine particles so those little roots can make it down, and then your little seedling can pop its head up,” said Hamilton. 

However, gardeners will later need to transition seeds into soil that contains fertilizer. Otherwise, the seeds will eventually die. 

How to determine the correct soil when starting seeds

Hamilton recommended considering the size of the seeds you’ll be starting. If seeds are larger, she recommended using potting mix from the get-go. With smaller seeds, she recommended beginning with seed starting mix. 

“If you’re using a larger seed, starting with a pre-fertilized potting mix is going to be the way to go,” said Hamilton. “[But] like your peppers, your tomatoes, I don’t use a seed starting mix for those because it’s unnecessary and they’re heavy feeders anyway.

“Then I don’t have to panic about quick[ly] pulling them out of the seed starting tray and upsizing into a pot with better nutrients.” 

What about humidity?

“One of the things you run the risk with particularly in a home setting is mold, mildew, [and] rot on your seeds,” said Hamilton. 

She discouraged gardeners from using plant domes or cellophane while sprouting seeds unless their plants needed it. 

“Certain seeds won’t germinate without that humidity level,” said Hamilton. “I would say in a home setting you’re going to be checking that seed tray if you have a dome on it regularly to make sure. Once those seeds are up, you’re going to pull that dome off immediately.” 

Tune in to the KSL Greenhouse Show on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., or listen anytime at KSLPodcasts.com.

Related: Preparing for garden season: Seed catalogs 101