INDOOR SEED STARTING SUPPLIES
I’m thrilled to share with you this guide to the tools and supplies to my seed starting indoor setup.
Over the last five years, I’ve dedicated countless hours to perfecting the space where I start a lot of my flowers and vegetables from seed. It’s been a 5 year journey of trial and error, learning, dropping some tear, lots of troubleshooting and lots of growth (pun intended)!
Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting out into the world of seed starting, this guide is designed with everyone in mind. I’ve broken down the essentials, offered my honest opinions, and provided insights into why each item has earned its place in my grow room, from choosing the right soil to selecting the best lighting, I’ve covered it all.
Remember, these items listed here come from my own experience using them these past few years and I hope they can help you in your own journey for your own Indoor Seed Starting needs.
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1. Shelving Unit Racks
Why It’s Important: When setting up an indoor grow room, space management is a significant consideration. In my room upstairs, I have a small section where I have two of these racks, at the end of the seed starting season, room management gets a little rough because I am trying to utilize every inch possible. You need a setup that maximizes your growing area while ensuring each plant receives adequate light and air circulation.
Why I Recommend It: This heavy-duty, metal shelving rack is my top pick for several reasons. Its sturdy construction means it can hold a considerable amount of weight, which is essential as plants and their containers can be heavy. The industrial design of these racks go well with everything else and the base of the shelves allow light to filter through each shelf, ensuring plants at different levels receive the light they need. Additionally, their extra depth is a major plus for me, as it provides ample space to hold several trays, making them ideal for gardeners who are working with limited space but want to maximize their seed starting capacity. You can find them here.
2. LED (Grow) Lights
Why They’re Important: Proper lighting is crucial for seed starting and indoor gardening. It ensures your plants receive the right amount of light, which is essential for healthy growth and development. Is the light from a window enough? I know some gardeners who use their available right next to their window, but if you want stronger- healthier seedlings, artificial light is the way to go in my own personal opinion.
Why I Recommend Them: I’ve chosen LED lights for a few key reasons. Firstly, they’re cost-effective and readily available online, making them a convenient choice for gardeners of all levels. While these lights are not marketed as “grow lights”, they have been helping me in growing the best seedlings possible ready to transplant outside, compared to grow lights, they are only a fraction of the price (Leaving more $$ to spend on seeds).
Additionally, LED lights are known for their high quality and efficiency. They emit a spectrum of light that is ideal for plant growth, and they’re energy-efficient, which not only saves money but is also better for the environment. I use 4-6 of these in each shelve and my plants are very happy. Find the LED lights here.
3. Heat Mat (Optional for me)
Why It’s Important: Consistent warmth is a key factor in successful seed germination. Many seeds, especially those of warm-weather plants, require a steady, warm temperature to germinate effectively.
Why I Recommend It: If your seed starting room is setup in your basement, garage or a place where the cool temperatures are always present, consider getting a heat mat to provide that extra needed warmth. By maintaining the ideal temperature, a heat mat can improve germination rates and speed up the process, giving your seedlings a strong start.I am writing this as optional for me because my room is extra toasty most of the day, so I don’t have a need for one of these. Find the heat mat here.
4. Pots, Trays and Containers
Why They’re Important: Trays and containers are the foundation of any seed starting setup. They hold the soil and provide a stable environment for your seeds to germinate and grow. The first year I started growing plants from seed, I wanted to save me some money and I re-used everything possible, from empty yogurt & sour cream containers, to cookie sheets from my kitchen, they worked… but it was a struggle. In the past few years, I decided to invest in some nice high quality pots and trays that would save me headaches and I could reuse year after year.
Why I Recommend Them: I suggest using specific trays and containers designed for seed starting because they are usually the right size for young plants, on top of having good drainage and very sturdy to be reused, these supplies come in different color, making growing from seed a little bit extra fun. Find the pots and trays here.
5. Potting Mix
Why It’s Important: The right soil environment is crucial for seed germination and early plant growth. A good quality fine potting mix provides the necessary drainage, and aeration for developing roots. While seeds don’t really need fertilizer to germinate, it is always nice when the nutrients are there for when the seedlings are big enough to want them.
Note: Up until last year, I decided to stop using seed starting mix, which is a very fine texture mix designed to help seeds in the germination process, however, after trying some things, I decided not to go that extra step because my seed did just as great with regular potting mix. The key is finding one that is of very fine texture, without all the chunks of wood that normally accompany potting mix. Sometimes, I sift my potting mix to make it extra nice for the seeds.
Why I Recommend It: A high-quality potting mix is essential for any indoor gardening setup but finding it locally in the quantities needed is also great, for me anyways. I can find bags of this soil at a couple of the big box stores like Menards or Lowes, if for some reason they are not available locally, I can always rely on Amazon. Find Potting Mix here.
6. Sprayer
Why It’s Important: Proper hydration is vital for seedlings and young plants. However, their delicate nature means they can’t withstand harsh watering methods. A gentle and controlled approach to watering is crucial to ensure the soil is evenly moist without disturbing the seeds or young roots.
Why I Recommend It: I recommend this specific sprayer from Home Depot to water your seedlings mainly because of the nozzle, you may think all sprayers are created equal… but I highly disagree! After trying multiple types of sprayers, this is the one that win the price. Recently, I found a small hand sprayer that helps me in watering my small houseplants and also those smaller seedlings, I feel like I am keep it a secret if I don’t recommend it as well. The one from HD. The small hand sprayer.
7. Sticky Traps
Why They’re Important: Pest management is an essential aspect of maintaining a healthy indoor garden. Young plants are especially vulnerable to pests like fungus gnats, aphids, and whiteflies, which can cause significant damage if not controlled. If you are seeing a high traffic of all of this in your grow room, make sure you are not over-watering your plants and that you are also watering from the bottom of your containers, surface soil that stays wet for long period of time is the perfect nest for these pests.
Why I Recommend Them: Sticky traps are an effective and non-toxic way to monitor and control pests in your grow room. They attract and trap flying insects, helping to reduce the pest population and prevent infestations. Place them right next to your plants, use them in different locations. Find Sticky Traps here.
8. Seed Storage Organizer
Why It’s Important: Proper seed storage is crucial for maintaining the viability and longevity of your seeds. Seeds are sensitive to environmental factors like moisture, temperature, and light. Without proper storage, they can lose germination capability or become susceptible to mold and pests.
Why I Recommend It: A seed storage organizer is a must-have for any serious gardener. It helps in keeping your seeds organized, dry, and protected. With a good organizer, you can categorize your seeds by type, planting season, or any other system that suits your gardening routine. This not only makes it easier to find what you need when it’s time to plant, but it also helps in maintaining the quality of your seeds. Most organizers are designed to keep out moisture and pests, two major factors that can compromise seed quality. By investing in a reliable seed storage organizer, you ensure that your seeds stay healthy and ready for planting, season after season. Find seed organizer here.
And there you have it. Remember, the right equipment can make all the difference in your gardening journey, whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your current setup.
Each item I’ve shared has been a game-changer in my own experience, helping me nurture my plants from tiny seeds to robust, healthy seedlings. I hope this guide helps you create an environment where your plants can flourish and brings you as much joy and success as it has brought me.
If you would like to take a quick tour of my room from the Spring of 2023, here is a video uploaded to Youtube (Enjoy!)
Feel free to share this with anyone looking to setup their own seed starting corner. Until next time, keep those green thumbs busy and your gardens growing!
Roxana
