Starting seeds indoors for the spring and summer vegetable garden

Published 02.13.2023

by Skylar K. (Burke) Diehl ’12

Magazine
Expert Tips
Spring 2023, Volume 32, Number 1
    Skylar and Evan Diehl practice homesteading on a 3-acre farm near Howard, where they produce most of their own food. Skylar earned a degree in culinary arts & systems in 2012. Evan is a 2011 grad in heavy construction equipment technology: technician emphasis. Photos courtesy of Georgianna Sutherland/State College Magazine

    Skylar and Evan Diehl practice homesteading on a 3-acre farm near Howard, where they produce most of their own food. Skylar earned a degree in culinary arts & systems in 2012. Evan is a 2011 grad in heavy construction equipment technology: technician emphasis. Photos courtesy of Georgianna Sutherland/State College Magazine

    Homesteading is about living a self-sufficient life, which can look different in every homestead. Homesteading can be as small- or large-scale as the homesteader wants it to be. Planting your own vegetables is a great start.

    Why to start seeds indoors

    • A head start to the growing season.
    • Vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers have a very long growing season, and most regions would not have a long enough growing season to start the seeds outdoors.
    • The seed varieties you can start from home can be varieties you 
      wouldn’t usually find at your local greenhouse/garden center.

    Which seeds you should start indoors

    • Slower root developing plants like broccoli, cabbage, tomatoes, peppers, etc. 
    • Shy away from starting root vegetables indoors, as they do not like their roots disturbed when growing and would not take well to transplanting.

    When to start seeds indoors

    • Follow the back of the seed packet, where it will reference when to 
      start indoors.
    • General rule of thumb for most varieties is to start seeds six weeks before the last frost.
    • Know your growing zone.

    Equipment

    • Seed-starting mix that is peat-free.
    • Seed trays, plugs or recycled containers from your home, such as yogurt cups, fruit cups or sour cream containers, with a few holes poked in the bottom to allow proper drainage. 

    How to sow the seeds

    • Fill container to the top with soil and press firmly.
    • Cluster-plant smaller seeds, like lettuce and onions, to be thinned later.
    • Cover the seeds with soil following the seed planting depth on the back of the packet.
    • Always label your seed containers.
    • Water with a gentle spout to not disturb the seeds. Allow the water to soak into the soil, and water again so the seeds have good, moist soil to allow the seed to come alive.

    Seed germination

    • Start seeds in a dark, warm place (like the top of an appliance such as a refrigerator) with a dome lid or cover with plastic wrap.
    • Once about half the seeds have sprouted, remove covering and move to a strongly lighted area.
    • Don’t let soil dry out.

    When to move outdoors

    • It is best to “harden off” the seedlings before moving out to your garden. Move the seed trays outdoors for a few hours a day the week before they are ready to move to the garden.

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